Columbia, MD - Howard Community College director of athletics Erin Foley has announced her resignation effective June 30 in order to accept the same role at her alma mater Penn State Abington. Assistant director of athletics Mike Smelkinson will take over as the interim athletic director on July 1.

Foley has been affiliated with Howard CC since 2004, and has served in a variety of roles, including athletic trainer, adjunct faculty member, and assistant women's basketball coach. Erin returned to Howard CC in 2017 as the assistant director of athletics and then was promoted to director in 2018. During Erin's tenure, she had integral roles in the new Mathematics and Athletics facility design and in starting the varsity esports and softball teams at the college. While at Howard CC, she also served as the Region 20 Health & Safety committee chair as well as being named to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee with the NJCAA. Under her leadership, the Dragons have sustained unprecedented growth of success in the sports programs, including national tournament appearances in men's basketball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, track & field, and esports.

Before her return to Howard CC, Foley was the athletic director for Notre Dame of Maryland University. She provided leadership and oversight for eight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III athletic teams, campus wellness initiatives, and all budget operations. She was also the interim associate vice president for student life, wellness coordinator, softball assistant coach, and athletic trainer at the school. 

Foley earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State Abington and a Masters of Education in Sport and Recreation Administration at Temple University.  Her accomplishments include being a Distinguished Staff Award winner at Notre Dame, a nominee for the Contractual Employee Service Award at Howard CC, and a recipient of the Rubini Continuing Education Scholarship.

Smelkinson will assume leadership of the athletics department on an interim basis after two years of serving as the assistant director of athletics in his second stint as a Dragon. He served as the head coach of the men's basketball team from 2011-14 and transformed the team into an instant national contender; starting a career of consistency with his student-athletes succeeding on-and-off the court. Smelkinson shifted to Harford Community College as the manager of compliance and student-athlete success, then was promoted to associate athletic director while also leading the men's basketball team to a division I national tournament along with three conference championships and two regional titles. After his return to the Dragons in 2019, his vast knowledge and experience in compliance, eligibility, and day-to-day operations has been paramount to the overall success of the Howard CC athletics department. 

Smelkinson graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in human studies. He earned his master's degree in education from Walden University in 2013. As a standout at Long Reach High School, Smelkinson was a three-time first team all Howard County selection as well as Howard County Player of the Year in 2004. Before his first stint at Howard CC, Smelkinson served as the varsity basketball coach at Marriotts Ridge High School in 2010-11 as part of his longstanding commitment to Howard County.