Carol Holmquist Named Fourth President/CEO of Providence, RI based agency
by Jennifer Thomas
(Providence, R.I. September 8, 2010) – Dorcas Place Adult & Family Learning Center’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Carol L. Holmquist (Gettysburg Seminary M.A. 1973) has been named as the adult education agency’s new CEO/president after a nationwide search. The announcement comes during the agency’s observance of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, September 13-17. For the past five years, Holmquist has been the executive director of The READ Center, an adult literacy organization in Richmond, VA. She was also president of the Virginia Literacy Leadership Council and has maintained a development and marketing consultation practice for the past 18 years.
Holmquist will oversee an adult education agency with a budget of $3.2 million and 48 employees. Dorcas Place Board Chair Jose Valerio notes, “As Dorcas Place celebrates its 30-year legacy and service to adult learners, we welcome Carol Holmquist as our president/CEO. She brings new leadership to our community, remarkable enthusiasm and a distinguished history of non-profit service and experience in the field of adult education and human service.”
“I am honored to be serving as the new president of Dorcas Place, an organization with both a wonderful history and a significant role to play to help address the persistent need for adult and workforce education in Rhode Island,” said Holmquist.
Holmquist received a B.A. from George Mason University and an M.A. in Religion from
Lutheran Theological Seminary. Prior to her consulting career, Holmquist had many years of
experience as a president/executive director for three nonprofits. She previously served as executive director of H.E.A.L., Inc. (Health, Education, Advantages, and Life), an ecumenical collaboration serving inner city Baltimore, as president/CEO of the Easter Seal Society of Maryland, Inc., and as executive director of Family Life Center in Columbia, MD.
In 1992, Holmquist founded a consultant practice, Holmquist & Associates, utilizing her experience as a nonprofit executive to provide management, fund raising and marketing consultation for organizations and associations. She was on the founding Board of Directors of Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organization.
In addition, Holmquist has served on the Board of The Richmond Symphony, The Richmond Ballet, Alliance for the Performing Arts, and National Lutheran Home, Inc.
Holmquist started her position as Dorcas Place’s fourth president on July 1. She is preceded by co-founders Deborah Thompson and Mary Reilly, RSM, and most recently, by Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier. In October, Dann-Messier was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education.
Holmquist is one of 2000 living alumni/ae of the Gettysburg Seminary who serve the church and society.