Inslee appoints Jeanne Bennett as new Clark College trustee

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Jeanne Bennett, retired CEO of Workforce Southwest Washington, to the Clark College Board of Trustees.

Bennett will step into the position opened by former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, who resigned his seat on the board of trustees in May.

“I’m so pleased to serve Clark College and the community in this new role,” Bennett said in a Clark College press release. “I strongly believe in the college’s mission to be in service to the community and helping students achieve their educational and professional goals.”

Bennett retired from Workforce Southwest Washington in 2018. The nonprofit agency works with businesses, chambers of commerce and universities to expand job opportunities in the region. When Bennett retired, she listed the organization’s support of job training in manufacturing, construction, health and technology sectors among her accomplishments.

Bennett was also director of the Mount St. Helens Institute, worked for Educational Service District 112 and staffed offices for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Her appointment comes in a period marked by transitions for Clark College. The 10,000-student college on Tuesday also appointed Sandra Fowler-Hill, a retired Portland Community College president, as its interim president for the next year. The college is negotiating her salary and benefits for the yearlong position.

President Bob Knight will retire July 15 after 13 years as Clark College’s president.