Suzanne Walsh has been named president of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. The all women’s institution enrolls just under 500 students. Walsh will assume her presidency on August 1, 2019.
Currently, Walsh serves as the founder and manager of Discerning SEWlutions, a consulting firm in Seattle. Earlier in her career she held various leadership roles with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation for Education, the Heinz Endowments, and Cuyahoga Community College.
As the new president of Bennett College, Walsh will face major obstacles. In December 2018 the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges notified the college that it will lose its accreditation. That decision is now in litigation. (See earlier JBHE post.)
Bennett College has a compelling mission to produce accomplished young women who are ready to lead,” said Walsh. “In an ever-changing world that I believe is thirsting for their leadership, that mission feels more relevant than ever, and what excites me is the opportunity to help translate it for a new era. I look forward to working closely with our board, faculty, students, alumnae and supporters to find new and powerful ways of delivering on Bennett’s promise, which is the promise of a great education and an enduring commitment to the world around us.”
President-elect Walsh is a graduate of Cornell University where she majored in social work. She holds a master’s degree in social work and a juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
congratulations to Dr. Walsh
on a separate note, it would be interesting to track the ‘success’ of these Black college presidents. We should not be satisfied with mere representation. These ‘leaders’ need to advance HBCUs individually and collectively. #ADOS
Congrats Suzanne!!!!! So proud of you!
I don’t understand this as Bennett is still in litigation with SACS.
It means they have to carry on with the business of running a college.
The institution’s board must now get behind its new leadership, support her and LET her DO HER JOB. Time out for HBCU Board micro-management. This does not always happen and he have many fine examples of institutions run by women and men with strong board backing – but still in too many cases – HBCU boards restrict presidents based on petty disagreements in style – rather than substance.Administrative rather than policy issues. NEW DAY everybody! Hooray for Bennett