Green River College President Suzanne M. Johnson has been selected to join the inaugural class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, a new initiative designed to support community college presidents in the early years of their tenure to accelerate transformational change on behalf of students.
Johnson is one of 25 Aspen Fellows selected from more than 100 applicants for this opportunity, which is fully funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and run by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The leaders, all of whom are in their first five years as a college president, will engage in a seven-month fellowship beginning in June 2020.
“I’m proud that Dr. Johnson is being provided an opportunity to interact with the exceptional higher education leaders at Aspen,” Board of Trustees Chair Jackie Boschok said. “Her desire to gain new skills and information there that will make her an even more effective president, shows how truly dedicated she is to furthering the success of Green River, our students and its communities.”
The fellows, who have been college presidents for five years or less, were selected for their commitment to student success and equity, willingness to take risks to improve outcomes, understanding of the importance of community partnerships, and ability to lead change.
“I am honored and excited to have been selected for the Aspen Presidential Fellowship,” Johnson said. “I look forward to the learning ahead and continuing to serve our excellent Green River College faculty and staff as we strive to be the best college we can be for our students and communities we serve. I wish to thank the Board of Trustees and Board Chair, Jackie Boschok, for their support and look forward to what this will bring to our college’s continued success.”
Nearly 80 percent of community college presidents nationwide plan to retire in the next decade. Through this fellowship and its other leadership programs, Aspen is committed to helping to replace those exiting the presidency with an exceptionally capable and highly diverse talent pool.
According to the American Council on Education, only 36 percent of community college presidents are female, and 20 percent are people of color. The incoming class of Aspen fellows is 48 percent female, and 40 percent are people of color. Their institutions span 15 states and vary widely, from a rural college with fewer than 2,000 students to a statewide system that educates more than 150,000.
“We know more than ever before about how community colleges can improve outcomes for students, both in and after college,” said Josh Wyner, executive director, Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “And the urgency for them to do so only increases—especially for students of color and low-income students. These fellows have shown they are fully, urgently committed to excellence and equity, and we look forward to working alongside them.”
