Jack Bermingham, Ph.D., has been named interim president of Highline Community College.

The college board of trustees made the appointment retroactive to Nov. 16, when they dismissed then-president Priscilla Bell.

Bermingham had served as vice president for academic affairs since 1994.

As the chief academic officer he had full responsibilities for instruction and training, as well as a leadership role in the overall administration of the college.

During this time, he was also project director for HCC, working with the U.S. Department of Education on various grants.

Additionally, Bermingham has been the college's project director for U.S. Aid for International Development-funded projects in South Africa and Namibia since1998.

Bermingham's long and varied career in education spans more than three decades and includes serving as dean of social sciences and chairman of the history department at Pacific Lutheran University.

He currently serves on the board's executive committee of Community Colleges for International Development.

In 2001, he was honored by the Washington Education Association, receiving its Human and Civil Rights Award.

In 2005, Bermingham was presented with the Dr. Werner Kubsch Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in international education.

Bermingham is an author and editor of numerous books and articles on education, politics and development issues, particularly focused on Africa and U.S. foreign policy.

He is also a Fulbright grant recipient.