OLYMPIA – In a special meeting today, Thursday, July 7, The Evergreen State College’s Board of Trustees permanently appointed Dr. John Carmichael as college president with a contract through June 30, 2025. Carmichael was appointed interim president in June 2021. His salary will remain at the current level.
“The Board of Trustees is exceptionally pleased with Dr. Carmichael’s performance as interim president during the last year. He is an exceptionally able leader and has excelled in addressing administration needs and the fiscal challenges the college faces. He has provided excellent leadership as the college has developed new academic offerings, including professional certificates. Carmichael has cultivated strong relationships with Washington’s legislators, current and prospective donors, and community partners. He’s achieved all of this and more while successfully navigating the complexities of COVID-19, which has ensured the safety of students, staff and faculty on Evergreen’s two campuses,” said board chair Karen Fraser.
Carmichael joined Evergreen in 1998, serving in a variety of roles including chief of staff and secretary to the Board of Trustees and most recently as the college’s vice president for finance and operations. A 1987 Bachelor of Arts graduate of the college, Carmichael also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Evergreen and a doctorate in education and human resource studies from Colorado State University.
This move brings further stability to the college and continues the strong collaboration between Carmichael and executive vice president Dr. Dexter Gordon. “It is clear that the two of them are working very well together and providing forward-oriented leadership for Evergreen. We are very pleased with Dr. Gordon’s performance and the excellence we are seeing in the critical areas he oversees. Gordon is providing outstanding leadership for institutional improvements which will better serve current and future students,” added Fraser.
Today the board also authorized ratification of a collective bargaining agreement with the college’s Uniformed Personnel for 2023-2025.
For more information about The Evergreen State College, visit evergreen.edu.
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