Meet the President

McDaniel’s Tenth President: Dr. Julia Jasken

McDaniel’s Tenth President, Dr. Julia Jasken

On June 1, 2021, Dr. Julia Jasken became the 10th president of McDaniel College and the second woman president in the college’s over 150-year history. She has dedicated nearly her entire professional life to higher education and most notably to McDaniel, beginning in the classroom in 2003 as an English professor specializing in new media pedagogy and teaching a variety of professional writing courses. Over her tenure at McDaniel, Dr. Jasken has assumed increasing responsibility in administrative positions, serving as the college’s executive vice president and provost immediately preceding her presidency.

A champion of both the liberal arts and McDaniel’s student-centered mission, she has overseen many of the college’s most important strategic initiatives. She envisioned and designed the college’s signature McDaniel Commitment, which emphasizes experiential learning and alumni connections, and guarantees that every student, guided by a team of mentors, can construct and tailor their personal educational path. Dr. Jasken has also led the Return to the Hill planning efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and has overseen the college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Education

A native of Moorhead, Minn., Dr. Jasken earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. She received her Ph.D. from Michigan Technological University; the topic of her dissertation was “Designing Composition: Textbooks, Teaching and Identity in the Digital Age.” Dr. Jasken's scholarly work appears in leading journals and focuses on the intersection of oral, written and visual communication.

Professional Contributions

Nationally, Dr. Jasken is widely respected for her contributions to higher education. In addition to her role as Chair of the Advancement Committee and Executive Committee Board member of HERS National Women Leadership Network, Dr. Jasken serves on the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA) and the CollegeBound Foundation. She also serves on the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

In 2022, The Daily Record selected Dr. Jasken among Maryland’s Top 100 Women and named her to their Power 30 Higher Education list of the most influential figures in higher education in the State of Maryland.

In 2023, Dr. Jasken was recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Northern Illinois University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, honoring alumni who had achieved prominence and made positive contributions to the college and its reputation for excellence.

Julia Jasken Video — McDaniel College’s tenth president, Dr. Julia Jasken, has spent 17 years here on the Hill. Get to know her as she steps into her new leadership role.

Getting to know Dr. Jasken

Dr. Jasken currently resides on-campus in Westminster, Md., with her husband, David, two sons Iain and Kyle, and adopted dog Kira. President Jasken and members of her family can be seen regularly walking Kira across campus. If spotted, feel free to join along— walks with Kira are a great time to chat with the president and spend some time with McDaniel’s favorite pup.

An Interview with her Husband, David

No one knows Dr. Jasken more than her husband, David. In addition to being married to McDaniel’s 10th president, Dr. Colquhoun works in the biotechnology industry and has an interest in all things science. His background is in the fields of environmental microbiology and environmental health. Originally from Great Britain, he met Dr. Jasken when they both were in graduate school. Learn more about President Jasken from his point of view.

Iain and Kyle answer questions in front of a window

A Q+A with her sons, Iain and Kyle

President Jasken is not only the president of McDaniel College, but also a mom. Her two sons, Iain and Kyle, have grown up here on the Hill and now live in the President's House on campus. Get to know some of President Jasken's likes and dislikes according to them,.

English Faculty being interviewed about Dr. Jasken

A Conversation with the English Department Faculty

Hear from a few of President Jasken's colleagues in the English department, who knew her when she first came to the college: LeRoy Panek, Professor of English Emeritus; Kathy Mangan, Professor of English Emerita; and Robert Kachur, Professor of English.

Meet Kira: The First Dog

Meet Kira, the First Dog and beloved friend of President Jasken and her family, David, Iain and Kyle. The black and brown rescue dog was adopted by the family in 2019 and her sweet nature immediately made her an adored member of the family. Sensitive and quiet and a mix of many different breeds (rottweiler, black lab, German shepherd, and chow have all been identified), Kira loves belly rubs, treats and curling up with her favorite humans on the couch.

President Jasken and members of her family can be seen regularly walking Kira across campus. If spotted, feel free to join along— walks with Kira are a great time to chat with the president and spend some time with McDaniel’s favorite pup.

Contact the President's Office

Email the President's Office

Phone: 410-857-2222

Location

Roj Student Center
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157