Vice President
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus delivered a profound mandate for Christian living: “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). This divine imperative underscores our duty as followers to embrace service when blessed by God.
I am Ronnie Leon Collins Sr., born to Clifton and Margie Collins of Pocomoke City, Maryland. Currently, I proudly serve as the Vice-President of the Stephen Long-Worcester High Pioneers organization (SL-WHP), which provides vital financial support to Black students aspiring for a brighter future through enrollment in Historically Black Colleges or Universities.
Reflecting on Luke 12:48, I am acutely aware of the abundant grace bestowed upon me by God, far exceeding any merit of my own. This recognition compels me to honor God through unwavering acts of service. My journey began with the nurturing love of my parents, the unwavering support of my relatives, and the enriching influence of a compassionate church community (Macedonia Baptist), all instilling in me the core values of love and service.
From an early age, it became evident that God had destined me for a career in academia. Through divine orchestration, I received a stellar education at every level, starting from my formative years at Stephen Long Elementary School, where I was intellectually nurtured by esteemed educators. Further blessings unfolded as I pursued English Language and Literature studies at Bowie State College (now Bowie State University), Maryland’s oldest historically Black institution. Subsequently, doors to unparalleled opportunities swung open as I embarked on graduate studies, all made possible by full, competitive scholarships at prestigious institutions like Edinburgh University (Scotland—as Fulbright Scholar), Georgetown University (as a Danforth Scholar), and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, scholarships collectively amounting to over $600,000 in today’s currency.
The resounding lesson from God’s boundless generosity is unequivocal: when bestowed with blessings, it becomes our sacred duty to serve. Responding to this divine commission, I have dedicated my entire career to serving at two Historically Black Colleges/Universities, notably Bowie State University and Coppin State University, where I have held tenured professorships for over 40 years. Moreover, my contributions transcended the confines of the classroom, as I assumed various administrative roles, including Dean of Arts and Sciences, Director of the McNair Post-baccalaureate Scholars Program, Interim Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and Dean of the Honors College.
As I approach the twilight of my professional journey, I remain steadfast in my commitment to service, evidenced by my continued role as Vice-President of SL-WHP. Ultimately, I fervently pray that God will look favorably upon the way I have stewarded the abundant gifts bestowed upon me and keep me ever cognizant of the imperative to serve with humility and gratitude.