Dr. Mary Spilde made the announcement at Wednesday night's Board of Education meeting.
The Scotland native told the board she came to the U.S. nearly 40 years ago with 2 suitcases, $1900 and an education. Now Mary Spilde is nationally recognized for her leadership in advocating for community colleges and students.
Spilde says after 36 years of working in higher ed she's ready to retire. She's previously discussed it with the board, but stayed on at their request. In giving 17 months notice, Spilde says she wanted to give the board and college enough time to conduct an inclusive search process for hiring the next president of Lane. She says the job has become much more complex than when she first took it in 2001. Before that she spent six years with LCC in two vice presidential roles. Spilde also worked at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany for 15 years.
When she steps down in June of 2017 she will have served 16 years as LCC President, the longest anyone's held the job.
In the meantime, Spilde told the board she's all in at Lane then preceded to list off her goals for the next year-and-a-half…including stabilizing enrollment, pursing major gifts and funding and advancing their climate action plan.
In retirement Spilde says she will continue to work on behalf of community colleges. But will also take time for herself to take classes and spend time with family. Her first grandchild is due later this month.
