WC Senior Stephan Jordan Is Named Student Rep on Maryland's Higher Education Commission

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed Washington College senior Stephan Jordan as the student representative on the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Jordan was officially sworn in to office October 21 by Mark Mumford, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County. He will serve a one-year term representing all students at Maryland’s colleges and universities, both public and private.

Washington College president Mitchell B. Reiss calls the appointment a high honor for Jordan and for Washington College. “It’s a testament to Stephan’s poise, confidence and leadership skills. Preparing our students to be engaged citizens is an important part of our mission at Washington College, and Stephan is a wonderful testament to our success. I know he will contribute in a significant way to the work of the commission.”

The son of Russell and Angela White, Stephan Jordan came to Washington College from Tuscarora High School in his hometown of Frederick, Md. The political science major has been active in a number of campus activities and groups. In addition to serving as a peer mentor, he chaired the Honor Board for the Student Government Association, performed with the Washington College Vocal Consort and the campus acappella group WACappella, acted in and directed theater productions, and was inducted into the national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa.

As a Hansard Scholar, he spent the fall semester of his junior year in London, studying parliamentary government and British public policy at the London School of Economics and Politics. Jordan also completed an internship in the House of Commons, the elected body of the British Parliament. He was a Parliamentary Intern and Research Assistant to Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Scotland. During his time in Parliament he completed in-depth research projects, worked with constituents and government agencies, attended public debates in the House of Commons and even attended Prime Minister’s Question Time.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission establishes statewide policies for public and private colleges and universities, and for private career schools. The Commission reviews and approves the start-up and continuation of new colleges and universities in Maryland, as well as requests for new academic programs at established schools. The Commission's 12 members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The student member is appointed to a one-year term. The other 11 appointments serve five-year terms.

This is the second time in four years that a WC student has been selected to serve on the MHEC. Joshua Ackerman served in 2009.

Below, Stephan Jordan was officially commissioned for his state post by Kent County Circuit Court Clerk Mark Mumford, right. Photo by Antoine Jordan.