SVC trustees grab peninsula president

Dr. Thomas Keegan, president of Peninsula College, has been named the next president of Skagit Valley College, which includes campuses on Whidbey Island.

The SVC Board of Trustees met Oct. 12 to review the three finalists and announced its unanimous decision to hire Keegan.

Keegan, a resident of Port Angeles, will succeed Dr. Gary Tollefson who has served as SVC’s president for nearly nine years.

Keegan has been the president of Peninsula College for 10 years. Under his leadership, Peninsula College was selected by the U.S. Department of Education as an “Innovator in Career Pathways;” selected as one of 11 “Innovation Partnership Zones” by the governor; and selected as a model college for its “thoughtful, holistic approach to Native American student success” by The Partnership for Native American College Access and Success.

Keegan also worked to establish Peninsula College as a baccalaureate degree-granting institution.

Prior to his work at Peninsula College, Keegan served as the vice president for instruction and student services at Columbia Basin College and the vice president for student success at South Puget Sound Community College.

Keegan earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies and a Certificate of Integrative Administration from the University of Washington.

The college expects to officially welcome Keegan and his wife Suzanne to SVC in early 2012.

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.