Dr. Kendall Isaac Joins CSM as Vice President of Policy, Compliance, Government Relations and General Counsel

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) announces that Dr. Kendall D. Isaac, EdD, JD, has been named vice president of Policy, Compliance, Government Relations and General Counsel. Isaac will join the CSM team March 24 and in his role, will report directly to the CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Isaac join our senior leadership team,” Wilson shared. “He brings with him a wealth of well-rounded legal experience, a deep understanding of our community college’s mission, and a strong focus on student engagement.”

Isaac is a seasoned legal and academic professional with more than 15 years of experience in higher education law and administration. He has held pivotal roles across various institutions, demonstrating a commitment to strategic planning, diversity, and institutional advancement. 

His professional leadership experience includes serving as vice president, general counsel and secretary of the university at Clark University from October of 2021 until August of 2024. Before that, he served as vice president, general counsel and assistant to the president for special initiatives at Dickinson College, after serving as the chief university counsel and chief of staff for Fort Valley State University. Isaac also has community college experience, having served as chief legal and human resources officer at Darton State College, as well as faculty experience by virtue of his time as an assistant law professor focusing predominantly on alternative dispute resolution while at Appalachian School of Law.

“I look forward to serving the CSM faculty, staff and students,” Isaac shared. “This college’s values and many centers of excellence truly speak to me. The college is clearly integrated into the community and its student-centered focus inspires me.”

Isaac added that he doesn’t consider himself a ‘traditional general counsel.’

“I see myself as a different type of lawyer,” he explained. “I enjoy interacting with students and look forward to creating opportunities to engage with them.” He also shared that as a former instructor, he enjoys helping students to understand free speech and pre-law studies and well as helping them communicate their position through mock trials.

Isaac earned a bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Communications from The Ohio State University, a Juris Doctorate in Labor and Employment Law from Capital University Law School, and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Leadership from Columbus State University. He has contributed to scholarly discourse with publications focusing on employment law, leadership and other topics. He is an active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and has been admitted to the State Bars in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, and Massachusetts.

Isaac replaces Craig Patenaude, Esq., who is retiring March 31 after serving CSM for 16 years. During Patenaude’s 16 years as general counsel, he has overseen public safety, policy development, human resources, insurance-related matters, governance structure, public information act, and areas of compliance – and he has also served as an advisor to the CSM Board of Trustees and the President’s Office.

“We are all so grateful for Craig’s quiet, strong leadership, his wise and thoughtful counsel, and his steadfast commitment to this institution, our students, and our communities. We wish him well in his next endeavor,” said Wilson.