information from South Seattle College
Seattle Colleges’ Chancellor Shouan Pan announced Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap will serve as the next president of South Seattle College (SSC), effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Pan’s decision came after a nationwide search and consideration of feedback from multiple sources.
Rimando-Chareunsap has been with SSC since 2000 and currently serves as vice president of student services. She will succeed Interim President Peter Lortz and Gary Oertli, who retired as SSC’s most recent president in August of 2017.
“Dr. Rimando-Chareunsap is uniquely prepared and qualified to lead South Seattle College,” Chancellor Pan said. “The college has a proud history and the collective power to overcome future challenges and seize new opportunities. Rosie’s commitment to SSC and student success, her passion for equity-minded leadership, and her sensitivity to people and attentiveness to the task position her well to lead SSC at this time.”
With a B.A. in English and Ethnic Studies from Washington State University and an M.A. of Public Administration from University of Washington, Rimando-Chareunsap earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from WSU. Her roles at SSC have included director of student outreach, associate dean of student achievement and vice president of student services.
Beyond SSC, Rimando-Chareunsap serves on the Executive Committee of the Washington State Student Services Commission, White Center Community Development Association Board, and the Seattle University Student Development Administration Advisory Board. In addition, she serves as Secretary of the National Asian Pacific Islander Council of the American Association of Community Colleges.
"I am honored and humbled to take on this leadership role for South Seattle College, especially after 18 years as a member of this community of dedicated and passionate educators,” Rimando-Chareunsap said. “I look forward to serving our students, communities and city from this position, and helping SSC be at the forefront of transforming the lives of our diverse neighbors."
