William Christopher, president of Cascadia Community College, announced recently his intent to retire from the Bothell school effective June 30.
Christopher first arrived at Cascadia in July 2005 when the college was just 5 years old.
“We accept your decision with regret and want to acknowledge how your vision and passion have positioned Cascadia so well for continued growth and success,” Cascadia Board of Trustees Chair Kirstin Haugen told Christopher after he tendered his resignation at a past board meeting.
At a board session held Jan. 19, the board picked 17 people to serve on an executive selection committee, according to Dede Gonzales, executive assistant to Christopher and a temporary spokesperson on the search for his replacement.
Gonzales said the board of trustees’ first action following acceptance of Christopher’s resignation was tabbing two of its own to serve on the selection committee. Trustee Michael Martino will chair that committee.
The board also quickly advertised for and solicited letters of interest in serving on the search committee. They received 42 responses from local education, business and community leaders. The entire board of trustees approved the 17 persons ultimately chosen, but the names were not released pending notification of those involved.
Gonzales added that Cascadia also has released a request for proposals from executive search firms who might aid in finding the college’s next leader. She said trustees should pick a firm by early February.
“Once the search firm is selected, the process will really start going,” Gonzales said. She expects a predictable route of position advertising, interviews and public forums with the eventual job finalists.
“It’s a pretty traditional process in some aspects,” Gonzales said.
She did add officials intend to send out weekly updates to the college community once the search gets into higher gear. Those with access to Cascadia’s internal computer network already can look at a tentative outline of what the search committee will be looking for in a new president, as well as a description of the college that may accompany any advertising of the presidential position.
While some details have been left undecided pending the hiring of a search firm, Gonzales did say trustees have set a fairly swift timetable for completion of the search. They would like to make a firm offer to Christopher’s successor in May, with that person coming on board a few months later.
According to a press release, following Christopher’s announcement of his resignation, Cascadia’s trustees praised him for his leadership.
Among the accomplishments credited to Christopher: Cascadia’s initial accreditation; the school’s ranking as the No. 2 community college in the country by Washington Monthly Magazine; growth in the college’s International and Continuing Education programs; the opening of a new performing arts building; and, the opening of a new freeway ramp providing direct access to Cascadia and the adjoining University of Washington, Bothell campuses.
Cascadia currently hosts more than 3,000 students with enrollment numbers growing every year since the school opened in fall 2000.
