Page 6 - AACC 2108 Impact Report

MEET THE AACC FOUNDATION PRESIDENT: CULLEN MURRAY
Cullen Murray has
been a member of
the AACC Foundation Board of Directors since 2015. In June 2018,
he was elected Board President. Cullen is a Senior Vice President for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and
is actively involved
with several non-profits in Anne Arundel County. Let’s get to know
the President!
What is your
connection to AACC?
Prior to joining the Board, I had very little connection to the College.
It wasn’t until I met with Hank Libby and Vollie Melson that I learned about the great things happening
at AACC.
Why did you decide to serve on the AACC Foundation Board?
The timing was perfect when I was asked to join. I have become very interested in promoting cost-effective choices for higher education. I feel there are an incredible amount of misguided decisions being made
by students and parents in regard to higher education, which is resulting in excessive loans that burden students later in life. I believe the return on investment from an Associate degree from AACC
is unmatched, anywhere!
What is your vision for the AACC Foundation in the upcoming year?
The College requires resources beyond what can be achieved through public budgets. Through philanthropy, we can achieve powerful outcomes for our community by expanding AACC’s role as an economic engine and
an institution that transforms lives.
What did you learn about AACC that you didn’t know before becoming a Board member?
The biggest surprise for me
was the fact that nearly 45,000 students attend AACC each year. The broad range of programs extend to students of all ages
and backgrounds. You have students who attend straight from high school working toward an Associate degree or earning credits to transfer to a four-year college, but you also have students who
are looking to earn a certificate
for a trade that will help them enter the workforce.
What would you like our community to know about AACC and it’s role in the community?
AACC is the community’s college. Many members of the community do not realize the economic and societal impact that AACC has on the quality of life in Anne Arundel County. We add more than $520 Million in income each year to the local economy. This is an important moment in time for higher education in our community as we demonstrate the return on investment that can be achieved through AACC.
6 Anne Arundel Community College Foundation