Dr. Yam was appointed the 14th president of Notre Dame of Maryland University on July 1, 2014. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for the essential role of a liberal arts foundation in professional education. At Notre Dame, she has led the effort to develop two five-year strategic plans, including the current Going Beyond: Vision 2025 plan; raised historic fundraising dollars; completed several capital facility projects on campus, strengthened fiscal resources; significantly expanded academic programs and launched NDMU Online. Under Dr. Yam’s tenure the campus land envelope was expanded and in 2020, NDMU signed a ground lease agreement with Brightview Senior Living Development (BSLD) for BSLD to build and manage a senior living facility on NDMU’s campus – a first in Maryland. Additionally, Dr. Yam oversaw the acquisition and merger of Maryland University of Integrative Health into NDMU as the new School of Integrative Health, making NDMU the nation’s first comprehensive university to house a school solely dedicated to integrative health.
Under her leadership, NDMU launched Maryland’s first bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in art therapy, a Ph.D. in Higher Education, Master’s in Risk Management, and the state’s first doctorate in occupational therapy program and first master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at a private university. The University’s Nursing programs were expanded to include an Accelerated BSN program and MSN tracks in family and adult-geriatric nurse practitioner programs.
Her service to the state and higher education is extensive. Former Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Yam to the Maryland Commission on Women. While on the commission, she chaired the Health & Wellness Committee for three years and led the development of the Maryland Women: A Status Report, completed in 2021. She serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and is a recent past chair of the Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association (MICUA). She is currently Vice-Chair of the Maryland Collaborative on College Age Drinking. Her past board positions include serving as vice chair of the Keswick Multi-Care Center, chair of the Colonial States Athletic Conference, and trustee on the board of Caroline Center. She has also mentored higher education executives through leadership development programs, including the Council of Independent Colleges.
The Daily Record named Dr. Yam one of Maryland's Most Admired CEOs in 2021 and 2024 and inducted her into the Maryland Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence after selecting her as a recipient in 2017, 2020, and 2024. She has been named several times to the Daily Record’s Power lists in higher education and received the prestigious ICON award by the Daily Record in 2025