Philip Needles, MBA

Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience

Philip Needles currently serves as Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience at Montgomery County Community College. In his years of service at the College, Phil has provided leadership and support for multiple strategic initiatives, including the development and operational launches of the Culinary Arts Institute, the Virtual Campus, holistic advising and integrated student support models, and the eSports program. Phil also helped lead management and implementation of grant-supported efforts sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He has held various other positions at Montgomery County Community College, including Dean of Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives and Strategic Advisor to the President.

Before joining the College, Phil served as Dean of the Institute for Business and Information Technology at Bellevue College in Bellevue, Washington. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Dean for Strategy and Planning at the University of Missouri – Kansas City’s Bloch School of Management, as well as multiple roles with the University of Miami School of Business Administration. Before starting his career in education, Phil served as a Content Consultant for a Walt Disney Internet Group International entertainment and educational product in Europe, Japan, Latin America, and Australia. He also spent time as the Director of Programming for Disney TeleVentures, a Walt Disney Company interactive television and broadband content venture.

Phil received his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with majors in strategic management, entrepreneurial management, and operations management. Before that, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami with degrees in entrepreneurship and finance.

When Phil isn’t working to empower student success at Montgomery County Community College, he enjoys spending time with his family, engaging in his local community, and advocating for environmental, children’s, and animal support issues. His favorite thing about the College is its commitment to supporting and helping students achieve their goals. His advice for students is to “explore how much Montco can offer you – it’s a great place to advance your future.”