Edna V. Baehre, Ph.D.
President, HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
As President of Harrisburg Area Community College since 1997, Edna V. Baehre, Ph.D., is the chief executive officer of a multi-campus college that serves an eight-county region and has a $142 million operating budget. HACC serves more than 21,000 undergraduate students and an additional 50,000 students enrolled in a variety of noncredit workforce training programs. Dr. Baehre reports to a 19-member elected board of trustees who set the College’s policies and priorities and is an officer of the College’s Foundation.
Dr. Baehre currently holds gubernatorial appointments including the Pennsylvania State Workforce Investment Board and the National Governor’s Association Academy. She is a director of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National Institute for Leadership Development for women in community colleges, and is a member of the Presidents Academy Executive Committee of the American Association of Community Colleges. Locally, she serves on the boards of directors of the Pinnacle Health System and Harristown Development Corporation.
Dr. Baehre has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for her efforts to promote women’s leadership, community service, and economic development. Recent honors include The Cliff Jones Award, Central Pennsylvania Business Journal, (2008); YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, Tribute to Women of Excellence (2008); Global Vision Award, Embracing Global Women, Inc. (2008); Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award for Peace, Moorehouse College, Atlanta, GA (2007); Compass Award by the Pennsylvania Immigration Refugee Women Network (2007); participating with President George W. Bush as a community panel member on Jobs for the 21st Century (2004); Communicator of the Year (2005) award, Harrisburg Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators; Community Leader Award, Asian-Indian American Society of Central Pennsylvania (2006); and Athena Award (2006) and Catalyst Award (2004), Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capitol Region Economic Development Corporation.
Dr. Baehre was Vice President for Instruction and Educational Services at Elgin Community College (1995-97); Dean, Instructional Development, Highland Community College (1992-94); Dean, Community Services and Acting Dean of Students, Genesee Community College (1986-91, 1988-89); and Assistant Dean of Continuing Education, Jamestown Community College (1983-86). She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in German and Comparative Literature at State University of New York at Buffalo (1977, 1973), and B.A. in Elementary Education and English at Pädagogische Hochschule, Heidelberg, Germany (1971).
Professional Affiliations and Appointments (Selected)
Team Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board, Gubernatorial appointment, since 2000.
National Governor's Association Academy, Gubernatorial appointment, since 2003.
National Institute for Leadership Development (NILD), Director, since 2003.
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC): Commission on Academic, Student, Community Development, member since 2002.
American Association of Women in Community Colleges: member since 1987. Upstate New York Coordinator, 1988-1991.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education - Director of accreditation teams since 2006. Accrediting Chair, member and team evaluator for annual college evaluations in Midatlantic Region.
Participant - National Institute for Leadership Development, Training for future college CEO's, Phoenix, AZ, 1988. Women Presidents Retreat, 1999.
Presenter - American Association of Community Colleges: frequent national conference presentations on various topics pertaining to community colleges.
Presenter - Association of Community College Trustees, Southern/Northeast/Central Region Seminar, Charlotte, NC, 2000. "Responses to Demographic Changes."
Participant - with President George W. Bush as a community panel member on Jobs for the 21st Century, 2004.
Recognition - Tribute to Women of Excellence, the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, 2008.
Recognition - Global Vision Award, Embracing Global Women, Inc., 2008.
Recognition - Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award for Peace, Moorehouse College, Atlanta, GA, 2007.
Recognition - Compass Award, the Pennsylvania Immigration Refugee Women Network, 2007.
Recognition - Community Leader Award, Asian-Indian American Society of Central Pennsylvania, 2006.
Recognition - Athena Award, Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capitol Region Economic Development Corporation, 2006.
Recognition - Communicator of the Year Award, Harrisburg Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators; 2005.
Recognition - Catalyst Award recipient, Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capitol Region Economic Development Corporation, 2004.
Recognition - Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, 2002.
Recognition - National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Harrisburg Chapter, Community Service and Volunteer of the Year Award, 2000.
Recognition - American Association of University Women, Harrisburg Branch, Community Woman of the Year, 2000.
Recognition - American Association for Women in Community Colleges, Carolyn Desjardins President of the Year Award, 2000.
