Chae E. Sweet, Ed.D
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost
Dr. Chae E. Sweet serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost at Montgomery County Community College. She is an innovative, insightful leader who has championed the community college mission for over 20 years.
In her former role as Dean of Liberal Studies at Community College of Philadelphia, Dr. Sweet provided creative and collegial leadership to 15 direct reports and 175 full-time faculty. She was responsible for maintaining and developing high-quality academic programs, the core of general education, and managing accreditation for the Paralegal Studies and Education programs, as well as institutional academic program reviews. During her tenure, Dr. Sweet transformed faculty engagement with assessment of student learning into a faculty-led practice that sharpened the quality of learning throughout the division. As well, Dr. Sweet developed numerous collaborations with institutions and community partners to the further academic interests of the division and College. Her commitment to fostering success and developing high-impact learning experiences was demonstrated in both the quality of new and revised academic programs and in the development of varied experiential learning opportunities.
Prior to 2016, Dr. Sweet was an associate dean at Passaic County Community College. Among other achievements, she led faculty to implement an accelerated learning program, revamped the delivery of academic support, and developed a college success course for developmental English and ESL students. Prior to becoming a dean, Dr. Sweet was an assistant professor of English for 10 years at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City. During that time, she helped hundreds of students find their voices through writing, learn successful reading strategies, and expand their world through literature. As a faculty leader, Dr. Sweet led workshops, coordinated the reading program, and developed courses.
Dr. Sweet is tenacious in her quest to improve and develop programs, courses, and learning opportunities for college students. She believes lives are shaped by the thoughts we think, and through education, we become more flexible, creative thinkers. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Sweet is keenly aware of how impactful the right opportunity and requisite support can be to that tentative seeker of change who approaches the community college campus. There are few places that hold the transformational potential that is found on college campuses and leading and enhancing this potential is an inspiring and welcome challenge that energizes and grounds her work.
Dr. Sweet is on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County, serving to advance the business and personal development opportunities for the greater Montco community. Dr. Sweet received a B.A. in English from Rutgers University, a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from New School University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Grambling State University. A resident of Berks County, Chae and her partner love cycling along trails in PA and abroad, kayaking and enjoying the cultural delights of the region.
Her best advice to students is “to cultivate curiosity and always ask questions – lots of them! The adventure that we call life is even more rewarding if you maintain a curious mind and push the boundaries of what you know.”