Former Baltimore County Executive receives highest alumni honor
Don Mohler, former Baltimore County Executive who spent his entire career in public service, received the Trustee Alumni Award, the highest alumni honor given at McDaniel. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1972 and Master of Liberal Arts degree in 1977 from the college.
The McDaniel College Board of Trustees presented its prestigious Trustee Alumni Award to Don Mohler, who earned both a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1972 and Master of Liberal Arts degree in 1977 from the college.
The award is the highest alumni honor given at McDaniel in recognition of alumni career and service achievement.
Don Mohler '72, M.L.A. '77
Mohler spent his entire career in public service. He was selected as Baltimore County Executive in 2018, representing the third largest county in Maryland with over 830,000 residents, 21,000 businesses with a $3.15 billion operating, and $700 million capital budget. Prior to his role as county executive, he served as communications director and chief of staff to Baltimore County Executives Jim Smith and Kevin Kamenetz.
Formerly with Baltimore County Public Schools, he served as key advisor to four superintendents. Mohler worked as a central office administrator, including as assistant superintendent for communications and community outreach; area superintendent, where he directly supervised 32 schools in the northeast area of Baltimore County; and executive director of student support services. Prior to those roles, he was principal at Catonsville High and Sparrows Point Middle schools, assistant principal and chairman of the Guidance department at Dundalk High School, and guidance counselor and social studies teacher at Lansdowne High School. He began his career in 1972 teaching social studies at St. Mark School in Catonsville, Maryland.
Currently, Mohler is president and CEO of Mohler Communication Strategies, where he provides community engagement strategies and consults on media and communications, including guiding crisis communication efforts.
Since retiring from Baltimore County, he has co-hosted the “Baltimore Positive” podcast with locally known radio personality Nestor Aparicio, interviewing major political leaders, businessmen and women, civic leaders, and members of the media across Maryland and the nation. He also publishes “The Front Porch” blog.
In addition to his degrees from McDaniel, Mohler holds a Master of Education from Loyola University Maryland and a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University. He has also taught as a faculty member at Nova Southeastern University and Goucher College.
