Janet Gullickson, President of SFCC, recently announced that she will stepping down after five years of serving the college.

Gullickson started her career as an educator and has made her way through many different positions at SFCC, including Director of Financial Aid and Academic Service Officer for District 17. In 2012, she was promoted to President. Gullickson’s decision to step down, effective June 30, is due to the acceptance of a new job with a community college in Virginia where her family resides.

“I’m sad for us, yet I understand her wish and need to be her children and grandchildren,” said Christine Johnson, CCS chancellor. “I very much appreciate the leadership and commitment she has demonstrated during the last 5 years as SFCC’s President.”

During her term, Gullickson had four major goals that she wanted to complete. One of these was introducing Pathways to the students, a program that allows them to take courses in accordance with their interests. Another goal reached was introducing the Bachelor of Applied Science degree which permits students to pursue a bachelors without having to transfer to a University.

She’s also proud of the Pullman Center which was put onto the WSU campus, and finally, the retention and percentage rate. The goal was to raise student completion to at least 50 percent. Although it remains in the twenties, there has been some improvement.

Gullickson credits other faculty for these accomplishments.SFCC President Janet Gullickson (Center) is stepping  down to be closer with her family in Virginia

“Nothing has been accomplished by me alone. This was a great college when I came and this will be a great college when I leave,” Gullickson said. “If we helped students on their next step in life, be it a transfer or a career, then that’s probably the biggest mark of success for all of us.”

These accomplishments can be noted as a strong success on the point of obstacles. The biggest hurdle SFCC faces is a monetary one. The amount of support the college has received over the past few years has gone down which has led to fewer dollars for the school.

Although candidates have been selected to replace her position, some who worked with her feel her shoes will be hard to fill.

“Her absence is going to be felt for a very long time,” said Gullickson’s assistant, Jan Carpenter. “We are all going to miss her terribly.”