Dr. Cheryl Roberts is the choice to be the next president of Shoreline Community College.
On a motion by Trustee Tayloe Washburn, the Board on Monday, April 21, 2014 voted unanimously to offer the position to Roberts “subject to negotiations.” Those talks are scheduled to start Tuesday, April 22 and could be wrapped up by the time the board meets again on Wednesday, April 23 in its regular monthly meeting.
“I think we are getting one of the great ones,” Trustee Phil Barrett said following the vote.
Board Chair Shoubee Liaw said, “I’m sure we will have our campus behind Dr. Roberts just as our board is now.”
Roberts is currently president at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., a position she’s held since 2007. Roberts previously served as Vice President for Instruction at South Seattle Community College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Seattle University, a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration in Higher
Education from Ohio State University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Seattle University.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a premier college that is focused on students and student achievement,” she said by phone from Oregon. “There’s an indomitable spirit at Shoreline.”
Since June, 2013, the campus has been under the leadership of Interim President Daryl Campbell, who took over when Lee Lambert left for Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. Campbell had been the Vice President for Academic Services since 2008.
“I congratulate the board and the college on the selection of Dr. Roberts as Shoreline’s next president,” Campbell said by e-mail while on an extended trip in Asia for college business. “Her knowledge of Washington’s community college system, vision and long track record of success at Chemeketa combine to create exactly the right formula to propel Shoreline Community College forward.
“I will work closely with Dr. Roberts over the next few months to assist a seamless transition.”
The unanimous Board vote for Roberts was 4-0 with Catherine D’Ambrosio absent due to illness. “While Catherine is ill and not able to be with us, she has sent a message that she fully supports Dr. Roberts,” Board Chair Liaw said.
E-mail from Cheryl Roberts to Chemeketa faculty staff
Dear Colleagues,
The Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees voted unanimously last night to offer me the position to be their next president. I accept their decision with mixed feelings as I now have an opportunity to return home to my Seattle-area family, yet have to face the reality of saying farewell. You are so important to me personally and professionally. Thank you for supporting me through this process. I am grateful for your support and belief in me.
I will remain fully engaged in my duties during this transition. This change in leadership should be managed routinely because our Board of Education and Executive Team have successfully filled presidential vacancies in the past and will do so again.
We will update you as soon as possible about the details of these next steps. Meanwhile our attention must remain focused on the everyday needs of our students, and I remain grateful for all you do in their service.
With gratitude,
Cheryl
Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President
Shoreline has made an excellent choice for their next president. As a recent graduate of Chemeketa Community College, I remember Cheryl Robert’s as a competent, forward-looking and inspirational leader. And my personal experiences with her were solid, genuine and hands-on. She was never distant or laissez-faire when it came to ANY student’s education.
Under Cheryl’s direction, I became motivated and committed to completing the educational path before me. I believed in her words, because she walked the talk, and she always had words of hope, commitment and value.
What a huge loss for Chemeketa, and a wonderful gift to Shoreline. I wish her all the best in the future.