John Carmichael

At its last meeting of 2023, The Evergreen State College’s Board of Trustees, in an action to incentivize the retention of current college president John Carmichael, voted to extend his contract through June 2027 and to add a deferred compensation component to his compensation.

Board members expressed much appreciation for Carmichael’s successful leadership in achieving significant enrollment growth, expansion of student housing to accommodate more students, broadening of the curriculum, increases in philanthropic contributions, improvements to the college’s finances and numerous upgrades to infrastructure. These and many more successes constitute the motivation of the Board to retain him beyond his current contract June 2025 expiration date.

President Carmichael expressed appreciation to the many in the college he has worked with who have contributed their leadership talents to bringing about these successes. These include executive leadership, faculty, staff and students.

Following the meeting, Board Chair Karen Fraser stated, “It is a pleasure to work with President Carmichael. The Board is exceptionally pleased with his thoughtful leadership style and his many successes that have advanced the college. Students, faculty, staff and the communities served by the college will benefit significantly from his continuing commitment.”

OLYMPIA – In a special meeting today, Thursday, July 7, The Evergreen State College’s Board of Trustees permanently appointed Dr. John Carmichael as college president with a contract through June 30, 2025. Carmichael was appointed interim president in June 2021. His salary will remain at the current level.  
 
“The Board of Trustees is exceptionally pleased with Dr. Carmichael’s performance as interim president during the last year. He is an exceptionally able leader and has excelled in addressing administration needs and the fiscal challenges the college faces. He has provided excellent leadership as the college has developed new academic offerings, including professional certificates. Carmichael has cultivated strong relationships with Washington’s legislators, current and prospective donors, and community partners. He’s achieved all of this and more while successfully navigating the complexities of COVID-19, which has ensured the safety of students, staff and faculty on Evergreen’s two campuses,” said board chair Karen Fraser.  
 
Carmichael joined Evergreen in 1998, serving in a variety of roles including chief of staff and secretary to the Board of Trustees and most recently as the college’s vice president for finance and operations. A 1987 Bachelor of Arts graduate of the college, Carmichael also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Evergreen and a doctorate in education and human resource studies from Colorado State University. 
 
This move brings further stability to the college and continues the strong collaboration between Carmichael and executive vice president Dr. Dexter Gordon. “It is clear that the two of them are working very well together and providing forward-oriented leadership for Evergreen. We are very pleased with Dr. Gordon’s performance and the excellence we are seeing in the critical areas he oversees. Gordon is providing outstanding leadership for institutional improvements which will better serve current and future students,” added Fraser.
 
Today the board also authorized ratification of a collective bargaining agreement with the college’s Uniformed Personnel for 2023-2025.  

For more information about The Evergreen State College, visit evergreen.edu.  

 

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