The Bellingham Business Journal
The Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Board of Trustees, at its Dec. 16 meeting, unanimously selected Dr. Patricia McKeown to serve as the school’s next president.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen to lead Bellingham Technical College,” McKeown said in a news the release. “This college has an excellent reputation and a strong role in the economic health of the individual, business and community and I am committed to continuing that success.”
McKeown has served as the interim president at the college since Sept. 1, 2010. Before becoming filling in as president, she was BTC’s vice president of instruction ― a title she had since 2002. In all, she has worked at the college for more than 25 years.
“After careful consideration as to the best way to proceed, the board of trustees assessed that there was no need to go through an expensive search process when we knew we had a highly qualified individual on our campus equipped to step right into the position,” Yvonne Cartwright, board chair, said in a press release.
McKeown earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Washington in 2002, and earned both her master’s and bachelor’s in education from Central Washington University.
“In addition to possessing impeccable credentials for the position of president, McKeown possesses considerable knowledge and understanding of the college and the challenges faced by our institution as a result of the economy,” Cartwright said.
McKeown has acquired federal and state grants for BTC totaling more than $5 million dollars over the last five years. She has also served in a number of statewide leadership roles including the chair of the Washington Community and Technical College Instruction Commission and numerous state task forces and committees.
She currently serves as a board member on the Northwest Workforce Development Council, and the Northwest Economic Council. She is also a member of the Manufacturing Institute Education Council, Sustainable Strategies Council, and the Alcoa Community Advisory Board, among others.
