Presidential Search

Skagit Valley College Presidential Search

 
At Skagit Valley College, our work is grounded in respect, integrity, open and honest communication, collaboration, and compassion. These guiding principles shape how we serve our students, support one another, and partner with our communities. As we begin the search for our next president, we do so with a shared commitment to these values and a vision for the future of our college. This is an important moment — an opportunity to build on a century of impact and help shape the next chapter of student success across Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties.
 
Skagit Valley College has launched a search for its next president, with the goal of welcoming new leadership by Jan. 1. 
 

Presidential Profile / Application Open

Skagit Valley College invites applications and nominations for the position of president. 

As the college celebrates its centennial year, the Board of Trustees seeks an exceptional, student-centered leader to guide Skagit Valley College into its next century of service, innovation, and community impact. Nestled in the heart of Northwest Washington, SVC serves thousands of students across two campuses and multiple educational centers, offering transformative opportunities through academic transfer, workforce education, adult basic education, bachelor's degrees, and community partnerships.

The next president will build upon the college's strong foundation while advancing student success, strengthening partnerships, supporting employees, and responding to the evolving needs of the communities SVC serves.

The Presidential Profile provides detailed information about Skagit Valley College, the position, desired qualifications, and the opportunities and challenges that will help shape the college's future.

Download the Presidential Profile to learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity and application process. Completed applications are due by August 28, 2026.


PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE

Update on July 30, 2026

Dear Campus Community,
 
As part of our commitment to keeping the campus community informed throughout the presidential search, we will provide regular updates on the progress of the search process. While the search advisory committee is required to maintain strict confidentiality regarding candidates, we are happy to share information about the process itself.
 
Recruitment Efforts
The search for Skagit Valley College's next president is well underway, and the position has been widely promoted through a comprehensive national recruitment effort. To date:
  • The position has been posted on both the Skagit Valley College website and the RH Perry & Associates website.
  • Advertisements have been placed in numerous higher education publications and job boards where prospective candidates are likely to be searching.
  • More than 8,000 emails have been sent to leaders in higher education, along with more than 600 messages to higher education councils and associations, with a particular focus on the community college sector.
  • RH Perry consultants have also conducted extensive personal outreach by email and phone to individuals in their proprietary database, encouraging qualified leaders, including those who may not currently be seeking a new position, to consider applying.
Current Search Activity
RH Perry continues to actively recruit and evaluate potential candidates by:
  • Responding to inquiries about the position.
  • Conducting preliminary interviews with prospective candidates.
  • Personally contacting individuals who would be strong candidates and encouraging them to apply.
  • Reviewing the credentials of the 31 early applicants and following up with additional questions as needed.
What's Next
The Search Advisory Committee will officially begin its work on August 12, when members meet for an orientation with RH Perry consultants Sue DeWine, Senior Consultant, and Paul Doeg, President of RH Perry & Associates.
 
During this meeting, the consultants will review the search process in detail, discuss the progress made to date, and outline the committee's role in the upcoming phases of the search.
 
Committee members will also be reminded of their obligation to maintain the strict confidentiality of all candidate information. We respectfully ask that you do not request information from committee members regarding applicants or the candidate pool.
 
While candidate information will remain confidential, committee members are welcome to discuss the search process itself, which is why we will continue providing these campus updates.
 
No information will be released about applicants or semifinalists. The names of finalists will be announced at the appropriate time, and the campus community will have ample opportunity to participate by attending public forums and providing feedback.
 
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the search process, please send them to Pam Davis, who will forward them to the Chair of the Search Advisory Committee.
 
Finally, we encourage you to share the presidential position profile with individuals who may be interested in the opportunity. You are also welcome to nominate qualified candidates by emailing SVCPresident@rhperry.com. Every nomination will be contacted by RH Perry and encouraged to apply.
 
Thank you for your continued interest and support as we work together to identify Skagit Valley College's next President!
 
Sincerely,
 
Mariko Doerner, Trustee
Search Advisory Committee, Chair

Skagit Valley College is committed to a collaborative and inclusive process. Broad input from students, employees, and community members will play a critical role in shaping the Presidential Profile and ensuring it reflects the needs and priorities of the college and the communities it serves. 

SVC is inviting community members to share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing the college, as well as the qualities desired in its next president. Community input will be gathered through a combination of public forums and an online survey.

  • Public forums will be held beginning April 14 (see schedule below)  
  • Online survey will open April 14 and remain available through April 21 at 5 p.m.  

All members of the college community and the public are encouraged to participate. 

Public Forums  

Whidbey Island Campus  
April 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Oak Hall, room A306  
Remote option: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 741 030 7556
Passcode: 125621

Mount Vernon Campus   
April 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room, Knutzen Cardinal Center
Remote option: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 741 030 7556
Passcode: 125621

Marine Technology Center, Anacortes  
April 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Classroom off the lobby
Remote option: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 741 030 7556
Passcode: 125621

Directions to each of the campuses are available here.

April 14–21, 2026 
Online survey is distributed to solicit feedback for the draft Presidential Profile. 

April 14–16, 2026 
A series of forums will be held to gather input from students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members to inform the development of the Presidential Profile. As one of the first and most important steps in the search process, the profile will identify the opportunities and challenges facing Skagit Valley College and outline the qualifications, experience, and leadership qualities sought in the next president.

May 2026

  • The Presidential Search Advisory Committee reviews and refines the Presidential Profile draft. 
  • Board of Trustees approves the final Presidential Profile and announces the selected search consultant. 
  • The position is opened and advertised. The Presidential Profile is posted on skagit.edu, and targeted local, statewide, and national recruitment begins, along with national advertising. 

August 2026
Application submission period closes. 

September 2026 
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee conducts candidate interviews and recommends finalists to the Board of Trustees. 

October 2026

  • Finalists participate in campus visits, public forums, and meetings with key stakeholders.
  • The next president of Skagit Valley College is announced. 

Jan. 1, 2027 
The new president begins.

The presidential search advisory committee is composed of SVC employees and students along with representatives from the community. Selecting committee members is a thoughtful, deliberative process, and includes representatives from all aspects of the SVC community – colleagues who bring a variety of relevant professional, cultural, and personal experiences to the table.

Board of Trustees Mariko Doerner (Co-Chair)
Vhari Rust-Clark (Co-Chair)
Faculty Claudia Avendaño-Ibarra, Human Services Instructor
Kip Zwolenski, Early Childhood Education and Education Instructor and SVCFT President
Classified Staff Kim Mitchell, Library Paraprofessional
Hannah Escobar, International Program Coordinator
Administrative/Exempt Staff Sabrina Houck, Director of Business Operations and Services
Jareth Rodriguez, TRiO Director
Students Aleeyuh Henderson, Whidbey Island campus
Ashley Zamora, Mount Vernon campus
At-Large College Representatives Brian Manning, Math and Physics Instructor
Brittany Knutson, Communication Studies Instructor
SVC Foundation John Sternlicht, EDASC CEO
Community Representatives

Margaret Rojas, Former Trustee; Assistant Director (retired), North Sound Behavioral Health
David Ryberg, Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor (retired), Carter Ryberg Group, Baird's Private Wealth Management

 

Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college serving Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties in northwest Washington state. Nestled within a diverse and vibrant region of agricultural lands, forests, and coastal shorelines, SVC serves approximately 8,000 students each quarter across its two campuses and three centers: the Mount Vernon campus, the Whidbey Island campus in Oak Harbor, the Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, the San Juan Center in Friday Harbor, and the Cardinal Craft Brewing Academy in Burlington.

SVC is committed to meeting students where they are and fostering a learning environment grounded in opportunity, access, achievement, and community. Through flexible learning options and comprehensive student support services, the college works to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.

SVC offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including basic education for adults, community and continuing education, academic transfer pathways, and career and technical programs. The college offers six bachelor’s degrees, 15 associate transfer degrees, 19 associate in applied science degrees, and more than 50 certificates and micro-credentials. Its highest-enrolled programs include the Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Nursing, Pre-Nursing, and Associate in Science DTA, and Associate in Business DTA. SVC is also nationally recognized for its innovative learning communities and strong commitment to student success.