Chesapeake College has named Milton E. Nagel, CPA, as its next Vice President for Administrative Services. A former member of the Chesapeake College Board of Trustees, Nagel will assume his new role in June 2026, succeeding Karen Smith, who will retire next year after a distinguished career in college leadership.
Nagel brings more than 30 years of experience in financial management and administrative leadership within Maryland’s public education system. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), where he oversees statewide initiatives supporting school system governance, advocacy, and member services.
Prior to his work at MABE, Nagel built a long and respected career with Caroline County Public Schools, advancing from Accountant and Internal Auditor to Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, and serving as Interim Superintendent of Schools during the 2014–2015 academic year.
“Milton’s deep experience in education, fiscal stewardship, and public service makes him an exceptional addition to Chesapeake’s leadership team,” said Dr. Clifford Coppersmith, President of Chesapeake College. “He understands our community and the importance of maintaining both financial accountability and institutional growth. We are thrilled to welcome him back to Chesapeake.”
Nagel holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Delaware, where he also completed ROTC and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Early in his career, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant for Jefferson, Urian, Doane and Sterner, P.A., while serving as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
“I am honored to return to Chesapeake College in this new capacity,” said Nagel. “As both a Caroline County native and a former trustee, I’ve long admired the college’s role in shaping opportunity for students and supporting our regional workforce. I look forward to working with Dr. Coppersmith and the college’s talented team to advance that mission.”
A lifelong Eastern Shore resident, Nagel is active in several civic and professional organizations; Past President of the Association of School Business Officials for Maryland, Past Chair of the MABE Group Insurance Pool, and Past Chair of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium Health Insurance Alliance. He currently serves on the boards of Shore Regional Health System and Channel Marker, Inc.
A graduate of Colonel Richardson High School and a member of Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2007, Nagel and his wife, Christina (“Tina”) Lorenz Nagel, reside in Caroline County. They have two sons—both graduates of Colonel Richardson High School and Chesapeake College.
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