Dr. Ronnie E. Holden was born in Withams, Virginia, and educated in the public schools of Accomack County, Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an Associate Degree in Business from Eastern Shore Community College. He received his Masters of Business Administration from Salisbury State University. He received his Doctorate of Education from the University of Maryland College Park in 1994.

He came to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in 1977 as an accountant in charge of the Office of Student Accounts , after having worked in that capacity at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia. Since coming to UMES he has served as Budget Analyst, Acting Comptroller/Business Manager, Budget Director and Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs. In 1986 he was appointed to his current position of Vice President for Administrative Affairs.

Dr. Holden holds membership in several organizations, among which are Executive Committee of the Business Council for the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, Maryland State Chamber of Commerce, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of College and University Auxiliary Services, College and University Personnel Officers, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Virginia School Board Association, and Accomack County School Board. He is a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Temperanceville, Va. where serves as a deacon and on several auxiliary services.

He is married to the former Brenda E. Ames: and they have four children: Ronnie Jr., Hope, Ronnita, and Heather.