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. 
 
A key early step in the search is the development of the Presidential Profile, which will outline the opportunities and challenges facing the college, as well as the qualifications and leadership qualities desired in the next president. The profile and full search timeline are currently under development. 
 
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. 
 

Skagit Valley College 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  

Mount Vernon Campus   
April 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room, Cardinal Knutzen Center

Marine Technology Center, Anacortes  
April 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Classroom off the lobby  

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 is held to gather input for the development of the draft Presidential Profile. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members are invited to participate. 

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.