West Seattle education leader makes history

wakefield.jpgJust got word that South Seattle Community College (which we hope you know by now is really in eastern West Seattle) will be looking for a president – because its current leader, Dr. Jill Wakefield, has just been chosen as the college system’s first-ever female chancellor. Here’s the announcement sent by Patricia Paquette of the Seattle Community Colleges:

The Board of Trustees of the Seattle Community Colleges voted today to name Dr. Jill Wakefield, President of South Seattle Community College in West Seattle, as the next chancellor of the multi-campus district.

Wakefield will assume responsibilities on January 1, 2009, upon the retirement of the current chancellor, Charles H. Mitchell. She will be the 17th chancellor and the first woman chancellor in the history of the District.

The chancellor is responsible for overall operations of the state’s largest two-year college district, educating more than 50,000 students at Seattle Central, North Seattle and South Seattle Community Colleges; the Seattle Vocational Institute; and five specialized training centers located across the city.

Wakefield has been at SSCC for 30 years, serving as its president since early 2003.

7 Replies to "West Seattle education leader makes history"

  • Pete September 11, 2008 (6:40 pm)

    I believe that it is actually Puget Ridge neighborhood not Pigeon Point.But congratulations to Jill as she has been a great asset to SSCC for a number of years now and we have been lucky to have her in our community.

  • Dow September 11, 2008 (8:00 pm)

    Wow! Congratulations, Jill. That makes for one heck of a story. Talk about working your way up from the metaphoric mail room.

  • WSB September 11, 2008 (8:18 pm)

    And if anybody would know that, it would be you. Taking out neighborhood reference now, will stick with northeast West Seattle :) — TR, who is always trying to explain she’s on the Gatewood/Upper Fauntleroy border

  • Erik September 11, 2008 (8:30 pm)

    TR – Isn’t it in southeast West Seattle?

  • WSB September 11, 2008 (9:04 pm)

    Not really but we’ll just change it to eastern West Seattle. Do I hear a semi-eastern?

  • Erik September 11, 2008 (9:23 pm)

    East-south-north-east…8-)

  • Patti Mullen September 12, 2008 (8:04 am)

    High five to Jill! Under your leadership, South is a 4 year degree granting institution, home to a famous culinary program, and now some award winning wine. Quite a legacy! For that level of leadership to show up at the district level is really upping the ante for the city. The district could not have made a wiser choice!

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