President Search Profile

Founded in 1946, OC is one of 34 colleges in Washington’s community and technical college system, playing an essential role in promoting educational achievement, workforce development, and community growth across the region.

OC serves a diverse student body of approximately 9,000 learners annually, comprising recent high school graduates, working adults, active-duty military personnel, veterans, and first-generation college students. Nearly half of OC students are the first in their families to attend college, and many balance studies with work and family responsibilities. Through programs such as Running Start, Worker Retraining, and Basic Education for Adults (BEA), the College provides multiple entry points that reflect the varied needs of its service area.

The College has earned national recognition for excellence. OC was named a Top 10 community college in the nation by the Aspen Institute for student outcomes and institutional performance. Its strong transfer partnerships with universities across Washington, along with locally offered bachelor’s degrees in Behavioral Healthcare, Information Systems, Computer Science, Filmmaking, Nursing and Organizational Leadership, ensure that students can pursue advanced credentials without leaving the region.

OC also plays a vital role in regional economic and workforce development. With strong connections to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, healthcare systems, tribal governments, and local industries, the College develops programs that meet employer needs. Recent investments in allied health facilities, advanced manufacturing labs, and technology learning centers show OC’s dedication to innovation and community responsiveness.

OC has three campuses in Kitsap and Mason Counties. The main campus is in Bremerton, Washington, on a 33-acre site. OC Poulsbo is a 20-acre campus located in North Kitsap, providing convenience for students from Bainbridge Island and the northern part of the Kitsap Peninsula. OC Shelton is a 27-acre campus located in Mason County. The campus is home to the John Bremer Welding Center, modern computer labs, a media center, student services, study and social areas, and the Johnson Library. The College’s campuses sit amid some of the most striking natural beauty in the country, offering students, employees, and visitors ready access to mountains, waterways, and vibrant cultural communities.

As OC approaches its 80th year, it stands as both a regional anchor institution and a catalyst for opportunity. By combining academic excellence, workforce innovation, and deep community partnerships, OC continues to transform lives and contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of Kitsap and Mason counties.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

OC honors and acknowledges that the land on which we meet, learn, and work is the aboriginal territory of the People of the Clear Salt Waters, specifically the Suquamish and Duwamish Tribes (for OC Bremerton and OC Poulsbo) and the Squaxin Island and Skokomish Tribes (for OC Shelton).

We also acknowledge and appreciate the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge of the Indigenous People with whom we share this land today.

We pay our respects to the People of the Clear Salt Waters and their Elders—past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge the important role the Suquamish and Duwamish Tribes (for OC Bremerton and OC Poulsbo) and the Squaxin Island and Skokomish Tribes (for OC Shelton) continue to play within the People of the Clear Salt Waters’ territory.
 

MISSION

Olympic College enriches our diverse communities through quality education and support so students achieve their educational goals. The college measures its effectiveness and fulfillment of its mission through the Mission Fulfillment Indicators found on the Accreditation webpage.

VISION

At Olympic College we envision learning as a life-enhancing journey of discovery.

Our students are lifelong learners in a global society.

To realize our vision, we will focus on student learning and success, promoting learning through accessible education, personalized service, adaptive and innovative teaching, and an ongoing commitment to academic excellence.

Our employees are empowered to achieve the college mission.

To realize our vision, we will appreciate and value our employees, providing opportunities to enhance professional skills, encouraging learning and advancement, and prioritizing and sharing institutional resources.

Our community recognizes the college as its cornerstone of learning.

To realize our vision, we will develop strong community partnerships and fulfill our role as a cultural center, enriching those we serve by creating relevant educational options and bringing a diverse array of activities to the region.

VALUES

• A dedication to public service and higher education
• A commitment to lifelong learning
• The practice of civil and constructive discourse and respect for diversity
• A quest for community and environmental health
• The thoughtful use of our finite resources, including ourselves
   

OC provides students with an accessible, supportive, and flexible environment that meets diverse learning needs and life circumstances. With programs delivered face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online, the College ensures that learners can choose the format that best aligns with their schedules, responsibilities, and goals.

Students benefit from small class sizes and active faculty involvement–key features of the OC experience that encourage personalized learning, mentorship, and strong connections with instructors. Faculty are passionate about teaching and student achievement, offering the support and motivation that help students build confidence alongside academic skills.

The College serves a diverse student body that includes recent high school graduates, working adults, active-duty military personnel, veterans, and first-generation students. To support this wide range of learners, OC offers programs such as Running Start, Math, Engineering & Science Achievement (MESA), and Worker Retraining, along with extensive advising, tutoring, and online support.

Beyond academics, OC fosters a lively and inclusive campus environment. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion works to ensure every student feels welcome and appreciated, while student clubs, activities, and athletics offer opportunities for connection and involvement. Holistic services—including counseling, wellness programs, and a resource center with food, supplies, and emergency funding—highlight the College’s dedication to supporting students as whole individuals.

Students describe a campus where individuals from all backgrounds feel supported and empowered to succeed. Access to behavioral health and recovery programs, along with vital resources like food, textbooks, and financial aid, ensure that students can focus on their studies. OC’s dedication to accessibility, diversity, and community involvement fosters an environment where intergenerational learning flourishes, and a rich “rainbow of cultures” is celebrated. Students appreciate the openness of the College, the kindness of its community, and the chance to learn from each other in ways that inspire hope and foster a sense of belonging.

OC students consistently describe their experience as one of support, belonging, and empowerment. With strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and a culture that places students at the center, OC provides an educational journey that prepares graduates not only for transfer or the workforce but also for personal and professional growth beyond college.

At the state level, OC is part of Washington’s community and technical college system. Although each college board manages governance locally, the 29 community colleges and five technical colleges submit a single combined budget request for operations and capital needs to the Legislature through the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC). The State Board acts as the system’s policy and fiscal agency, and it is the main advocate for the system. After the legislature approves the budgets, the state funds are allocated to the SBCTC, which then distributes the funds to the 30 college districts.

The system operates with an annual budget of $1.2 billion, and its biennial capital budget for 2023-2025 is $480 million. Across the colleges, on average, about 54% of college revenue is covered by state funds, while the other 46% comes from tuition, grants, contracts, fees, and income from enterprises like bookstores, parking, and food services.

The Board of Trustees holds legal authority and responsibility for running OC. It creates and reviews college policies and oversees the management of funds and properties. The Board is in charge of hiring and keeping the college president, awarding tenure to faculty, adopting or changing policies, and approving collective bargaining agreements, tuition and fees, along with the College’s operating and capital budgets. The Board consists of five trustees appointed by the Governor of Washington and confirmed by the Senate for rotating five-year terms.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits OC, which was reaffirmed in January 2019. Documents for the current and most recent past accreditation cycles can be found here.

OC has identified seven institutional priorities in its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which guide planning, budgeting, and program development across all campuses.

The OC Governance System supports the College’s mission of ensuring student success at all levels. Shared governance offers a structured platform for diverse voices, including students, to engage in thoughtful deliberation on college policy, planning, and assessment. Governance stakeholders include students, classified professionals, faculty, and exempt administrators.

The College governance structure operates through aligned councils and stakeholder groups that include the following members.

• Governance Coordinating Council
• Budget & Finance Council
• Data & Technology Council
• Facilities & Safety Council
• Learning Council
• Student Achievement Council
• Classified Staff
• Diversity Advisory Council
• Exempt Staff
• Faculty
• Students
• Sustainability Advisory Council

OC’s planning model is iterative and data informed. The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness maintains dashboards and peer comparison data to track enrollment, retention, completion, and equity results. Findings are shared widely across governance groups, including the Budget & Finance Council and the Student Achievement Council, to ensure planning decisions are transparent and collaborative.

The College actively participates in the Achieving the Dream Network, which offers a nationwide framework for enhancing student outcomes, especially for historically underserved populations. This effort supports OC’s dedication to disaggregated data analysis and ongoing improvement.

Implementation of Guided Pathways remains a key planning focus, aimed at simplifying choices for students, linking programs to careers or transfer opportunities, and providing advising and support from initial contact to completion. Additionally, OC is broadening comprehensive student services—including financial aid, wellness, and academic support—so that planning addresses not only classroom needs but also the barriers that can hinder persistence.

Finally, the Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in the planning cycle by establishing policies such as the Financial Reserve Policy and supervising budget assumptions and adjustments. These policies make sure that planning decisions are both ambitious and financially responsible, balancing innovation with long-term stability of the institution.

Together, these efforts foster a culture of ongoing improvement and shared responsibility, ensuring that OC stays adaptable, equitable, and highly responsive to the needs of its students and communities.

OC operates three main campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Shelton, each designed to provide accessible, modern learning environments for students across Kitsap and Mason counties. Together, these locations support a wide range of programs, from transfer degrees and workforce certificates to applied bachelor’s degrees, while also serving as community hubs.

The College has invested significantly in its physical and technological infrastructure to ensure that facilities align with evolving student and program needs. Recent projects have included upgraded science and allied health labs, advanced manufacturing and technology learning spaces, and expanded student support centers. These improvements not only enhance academic quality but also strengthen OC’s ability to prepare students for high-demand careers in healthcare, information technology, the trades, and beyond.

As part of the statewide community and technical college system, OC participates in the SBCTC’s capital planning process, which prioritizes new construction, major renovations, and maintenance projects across all 34 institutions. This process ensures that OC’s facilities remain competitive, sustainable, and aligned with systemwide goals.

In addition to large-scale capital projects, the College receives an annual allocation for minor repairs and maintenance, allowing it to preserve and modernize campus spaces consistently. Investments have also extended to infrastructure such as utilities, IT systems, and accessibility upgrades, reflecting OC’s commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and technology-ready environment.

Looking forward, OC continues to align its Facilities Master Plan with the goals of its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring that space and infrastructure support the College’s mission of equity, student success, and community engagement. The College’s facilities represent both its long-standing history in the region and its readiness to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven future.

OC’s financial operations are supported through a combination of state allocations, tuition and fees, contracts, and grants. Like all of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges, OC receives biennial operating funds based on enrollment targets and program priorities established by the SBCTC. Tuition and fee revenues supplement these state allocations, while external contracts—including dual-enrollment partnerships and workforce training agreements—further diversify revenue streams.

The College also benefits from federal and private grant funding, which supports student success initiatives, workforce programs, and capital improvements. These competitive funds expand the College’s ability to innovate and serve students beyond the limits of state and tuition resources.

CAPITAL BUDGET

Capital planning is coordinated statewide through the SBCTC, which submits a prioritized request to the Washington State Legislature for new construction, renovations, and facility replacements. OC participates actively in this process, ensuring that its facility needs—such as upgraded labs, instructional spaces, and student support areas—align with both regional demand and statewide priorities. In addition, the College receives an annual allocation for minor repairs and renovations, ensuring that facilities remain safe, modern, and functional.

In 2026, OC will break ground on a 22,000-square-foot Innovation & Technology Learning Center, providing a modern base for its growing Information Systems, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity programs.

AUXILIARY SERVICES

The College operates several auxiliary enterprises designedto enhance student life and community engagement, including the bookstore, food services, and facility rentals. These self-supporting operations are expected to generate sufficient revenue to cover expenses while contributing to the overall vibrancy of the campus experience.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

The Board of Trustees plays a central role in budget oversight, adopting policies such as a financial reserve policy to ensure long-term stability. Budget development and modification processes are transparent and inclusive, engaging governance councils and campus stakeholders to align financial decisions with institutional priorities.

Overall, OC has maintained a reputation for responsible fiscal stewardship, balancing its commitment to affordability with investments in innovation, facilities, and student success.
 

In 1993, the OC Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation’s mission states, “We transform lives by partnering with the community to support OC and its students.”

The Foundation awards over $400,000 in scholarships annually to more than 200 students. These scholarships are often transformative, enabling students from diverse backgrounds—including first-generation, low-income, and military-connected learners—to pursue their academic and career goals with confidence.

Beyond scholarships, the Foundation raises funds to support instructional equipment, program innovation, and student success initiatives. Contributions from alumni, donors, and community partners have helped equip advanced laboratories, expand library and tutoring resources, and provide emergency assistance for students facing unexpected challenges.

The Foundation also serves as a key convener for the region, bringing together business leaders, civic organizations, and community members to support OC’s role in workforce development and community vitality. Annual events and campaigns highlight the impact of philanthropy, celebrate student achievements, and sustain a culture of giving across the College’s service area.

Through its work, the OC Foundation ensures that the College can extend its reach, amplify its resources, and respond more flexibly to emerging needs—making it an essential partner in the College’s long-term success.

The President will attend carefully to internal relationships and communications with a leadership style rooted in respect, listening, and shared governance inspired by authentic engagement with faculty, staff, and students. The President will pursue new initiatives with a collaborative spirit, ensuring that the shared governance voices of the College community help shape the institution’s direction. Fostering a culture of mutual respect, trust, and inclusivity in decision-making, the President will value transparency in policy and finances through frequent and collaborative communications. Leveraging the leadership team to share the work of engagement, the President will ensure that the processes leading to decisions are explained clearly, consistently, and openly.

The President will keep students at the center of every conversation and ensure that all employees understand their role in advancing student achievement and success and that
all programs and services reflect OC’s commitment to equity and belonging. Continuing the College’s proud tradition as an early Achieving the Dream institution, the President will
guarantee the College uses data and best practices to close equity gaps and help students thrive.

The President will enhance OC’s position as the nexus for higher education on the Kitsap Peninsula by advancing opportunities for collaboration with universities and business/industry in areas including nursing, cybersecurity, computer science, and mechanical engineering. Approaching competitive dynamics with diplomacy, the President will emphasize “win-win” outcomes that expand educational opportunities for students and strengthen the region with workforce development.

The President will lead visibly and relationally in a community that values presence, trust, and connection. By being active in civic life—attending events, serving on boards and committees, and partnering with business, civic leaders, and alumni—the President will ensure that
the College’s voice is heard in chambers, councils, and community forums, reinforcing OC’s role as a trusted partner in regional economic development. The next President should also understand and respect sovereign relationships and the unique educational needs of Indigenous communities.

The President will provide steady leadership through inevitable challenges and crises by balancing competing priorities, communicating decisions effectively, and remaining committed to the College’s mission and sustainability, even when choices are tough. A strong communicator, the President will need both transparency and resilience, making timely decisions based on the best interests of students and the institution as a whole.

The President will advance thoughtful planning for all three campuses, ensuring responsible stewardship of their land, water, and other natural resources. The President will support healthcare and workforce expansion while maintaining strong fiscal oversight in programs that may not be self-supporting but are essential to community needs. The President will work closely with the SBCTC to secure capital funding, while aligning entrepreneurial efforts with successful models such as the University District in Spokane.

As the College works to deliver on its promise to expand Allied Health and Health Sciences programs and facilities in Poulsbo, the President will calibrate these aspirations with master planning for the Poulsbo campus that includes financing, feasibility timelines, and deliverables.

The President will address the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and environmental sustainability with clear policies and training for ethical use while ensuring full ADA compliance through universal design across all digital platforms. The President will strike a balance between innovation, equity, accessibility, and academic integrity.