The below message was sent by President Kim Cassidy to the ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ community on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. A subsequent message was sent from Board of Trustees Chair Cynthia Archer.
Dear Staff, Students, Faculty and Alumnae/i,
I write with the news that I have decided not to pursue a third term as president of the College. At the end of my term next summer, I will have been president for 11 years, and I believe that leadership renewal is crucial to the long-term, strategic success of any organization.
Since being named president in February 2013, the College has achieved most of the priorities outlined in ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥â€™s strategic direction, Excellence in Action, made substantial progress on the action items in our DEIA framework, and completed the most successful fundraising campaign in the College’s history. The College is on remarkably strong financial footing, and has made significant new investments in financial aid. Staff, faculty, students, and trustees have joined me in doing much of the foundational work for the next strategic plan. This makes it the right time to seek the College’s next leader.
It has been an honor to serve as president of ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥. I am deeply grateful to those who have worked collaboratively with me to achieve success for the College. These relationships are what I will treasure most about these 11 years. My current plan is to take my two-year sabbatical to pursue a research and writing project and look forward to returning to the faculty in fall of 2026. Teaching and research have always been my true vocation.
My last day as president will be June 30, 2024. Between now and that time, I will work tirelessly to support progress at the College and to create the strongest possible pathway for my successor. We will not miss a step – there is much to be done. I look forward to our work together.
Best,
Kim Cassidy