Karin Edwards Picked to Lead Cascade Campus

The search for a new Portland Community College Cascade president has ended with selection of Karin Edwards, dean of student development and services at Three Rivers Community College, in Norwich, Conn.

She takes over from beloved former President Algie Gatewood, who last year moved to North Carolina and a job at Alamance Community College to be closer to his family. Edwards starts on July 21.

In her former position, Edwards served as chief student affairs officer, overseeing marketing, public relations, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, veteran affairs, records and registration, counseling, advising, placement testing, career services, student activities, childcare, off-campus operations, and student discipline.

PCC officials say she has worked in the past on student success strategies, planning, budgeting and assessment.

“I am looking forward to coming to Portland to join the students, staff and faculty of the Cascade Campus of PCC,” Edwards said in a statement. “The level of concern, commitment and connection to the community this campus has demonstrated is so impressive. I'm absolutely honored to serve as the president.”

Edwards has also worked at OrangeCountyCommunity College in Middletown, N.Y., including Director of College Extension Centers, Director of the NewburghExtensionCenter and Student Development Counselor.

She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Johnson and WalesUniversity in Rhode Island, and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Albany-SUNY.

“Throughout the hiring process, Karin impressed the search committee with her depth of knowledge based upon many years of community college leadership experience,” said PCC President Jeremy Brown. “I believe she will be a great leader for our students, staff and faculty at Cascade and an excellent partner with the Cascade neighborhood and community.”

The Cascade Campus, located at 705 N. Killingsworth St., is being transformed through $43 million in bond construction that will result in a new three-story academic building and student center, both on top of a single-level underground parking structure.

The Cascade Campus serves a unique role in job training, offering Medical Laboratory Technology, Emergency Telecommunicator / 911 Dispatcher, Emergency Medical Services, Professional Music, Fire Protection Technology, Multimedia, Criminal Justice, Trades and Apprenticeship, Jefferson Middle College and the Margaret Carter Skill Center.

For more information on PCC’s programs go to www.pcc.edu.