PORT ANGELES — New Peninsula College President Suzanne Ames had her first meeting this week with the board of trustees when they conducted a retreat.
The five-member board announced Ames as the college’s seventh president in April and she officially began her role on July 1. Ames succeeded Luke Robins, who retired at the end of the 2022 academic year after 10 years as president.
“Today is all about getting on the same page and how we’re going to work together in the future,” said Ames, who holds a doctorate of education in educational leadership for change from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Board chair Mike Glenn, who also is CEO of Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend, said the trustees’ focus was governance and oversight, not the day-to-day management of the college.
“We are here to assist Dr. Ames,” Glenn said. “Strategic planning, monitoring its progress and achieving that plan and not inserting ourselves into operations.”
Board member Dr. Michael Maxwell, who is also the CEO of the North Olympic Healthcare Network, said he wanted to help Ames “make a smooth transition” into the community and the college, although she appeared to be well on her way to doing both.
Ames and her dog, Cooper, have moved into the home she and her husband, Tony Ames, purchased off Mount Angeles Road, although he is mostly living in their former home in Stanwood until it sells.
Ames said this weekend’s plans included visiting the Jefferson County Fair with Tony, continuing to unpack the mountain of boxes the movers delivered and preparing for the first day of fall classes on Monday, Sept. 26.
“It’s so good to be here. I feel like I won the lottery,” Ames said. “The community has been so welcoming and I really feel like I’m a part of it.”
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at Paula.Hunt@soundpublishing.com
