RH Perry & Associates Retained by Skagit Valley College for President Search

September 10, 2026 – RH Perry & Associates has been selected by Skagit Valley College (SVC) to lead in its search for a new president. The assignment is being led by senior consultant Sue DeWine and and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer.

The president will strengthen the College’s ‘One College’ approach by enhancing coordination across the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses, as well as the San Juan Center, Marine Technology Center, and Cardinal Craft Brewing Academy. They will be responsible for advancing the College’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) goals by leading measurable efforts to improve equitable access and student achievement, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding culturally responsive programming and outreach.

In addition, the president will further develop partnerships with K–12 schools, universities, Tribal Nations, regional employers, and Naval Air Station Whidbey to enhance student pathways and workforce alignment.

SVC is looking for a dynamic, visionary leader with the ability to build trust and strong partnerships across diverse stakeholders. They would like to attract a culturally responsive and equity-minded leader, with cultural humility and demonstrated experience centering equity in decision-making, learning assessment, and support for students, faculty, and staff.

Those applying should have senior-level leadership experience with demonstrated readiness to lead a complex institution, including multi-campus, geographically distributed operations serving diverse student populations. They must have demonstrated success stewarding public resources, securing external funding and grants, cultivating donor and philanthropic partnerships, and aligning financial planning and resource allocation with institutional mission and long-term sustainability.

Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college serving Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties in northwest Washington. The College serves approximately 8,000 students each quarter across two campuses and three centers: the Mount Vernon campus, the Whidbey Island campus in Oak Harbor, the Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, the San Juan Center in Friday Harbor, and the Cardinal Craft Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Established in 1974, RH Perry & Associates offers strong credentials and experience in academic executive search, having completed well over 1,000 searches in its history. Serving both two-year and four-year institutions, the firm’s higher education practice consists of senior-level executives with a well-balanced mix of college and university presidential and senior administrative experience and executive search expertise. Headquartered in Ashville, NC, RH Perry’s consultants maintain offices in Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Dr. DeWine has 45 years of experience as a higher education administrator and fundraiser. She joined RH Perry & Associates in 2015 after more than 40 years in higher education. She has had a successful career in academia with extensive experience as an administrator, fundraiser, and communication consultant. She was a full professor and consultant to industry in a large public institution and provost and president at two small private colleges. Her expertise lies in academic leadership.

Mr. Doeg joined RH Perry & Associates in 2001 and has supported more than 400 presidential and senior administrative engagements. In his seventh year as president and chief operating officer, he leads RH Perry’s team of outstanding senior consultants and associates, and is committed to supporting an equitable and inclusive search process for the firm’s clients.

Past Assignment

Following a comprehensive national search, RH Perry & Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Jamonica Rolle as the next president of Illinois Central College (ICC). Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Charlene Newkirk led the assignment. The presidential search included a national recruitment effort and engagement with campus and community stakeholders. Feedback from faculty, staff, students, and community members informed the board’s final decision.

“Dr. Rolle is a highly accomplished leader with 20 years of progressive experience across all aspects of a community college,” said Cindy Byrd, chair of the board of trustees. “Her strengths and qualifications clearly align with ICC’s mission and current priorities as evident in her strong commitment to student success, workforce development, and community impact. Her proven ability as a collaborative, innovative leader will also guide the college into its next era of excellence and community service. The board looks forward to partnering with Dr. Rolle in supporting and advancing ICC’s vision and mission.”

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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