Almost seven years after the news that Dr. Jill Wakefield was being promoted from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) president to chancellor of its parent system, she has decided to retire. From this afternoon’s announcement:

After 40 years with Seattle Colleges, Chancellor Jill Wakefield has announced her retirement, effective June 2016. She was appointed as chancellor in 2009, becoming the district’s first female in that position. When she retires, she will be the longest-serving chancellor in the district’s history.

Dr. Wakefield started with the district as a program assistant in the veterans office at South Seattle Community College, then served as public information officer, director of development, vice president for institutional advancement, and vice president for instruction, as well as president from 2003 to 2008. She succeeded Charles Mitchell as chancellor.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have spent my professional career with Seattle Colleges,” says Dr. Wakefield. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to represent this great district and its talented educators and staff, and I believe we have a solid foundation in place to educate tomorrow’s workforce.”

Dr. Wakefield’s focus this final year includes:
· Getting more students to the finish line by improving recruitment, retention, and completion.
· Meeting workforce training needs in high-demand areas.
· Continuing to offer high-demand, high-quality transfer programs with clear pathways to universities.
· Establishing sustainable public and private funding sources.
· Ensuring the new Health Education Center in Pacific Tower is fully operational. …

A subcommittee of the board will lead the search for a new chancellor.

Read more about Dr. Wakefield and the transition here.