Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio is looking for a new president after Jerry Sue Thornton announced her resignation for June 30.
Thorton who is member of Murray State’s Board of Regents has served Tri-C for 20 years as president.
With support from Cuyahoga County taxpayers, Tri-C has grown from 23,000 to 32,000 students during her tenure, and added two corporate colleges, a campus in Westlake and a center in Brunswick.
Thornton is Tri-C’s third president since its founding in 1963. She said in an interview at The Plain Dealer today that after 42 years in higher education, it’s time to change focus. But she said she plans to stay active volunteering and consulting.
Trustee David Whitehead, the Tri-C board’s past president, will chair a committee to look for Thornton’s replacement. The board hopes to have a successor by May. Thornton earns $266,000 a year under a contract that expires June 30.
Thorton’s resignation from Tri-C does not effect her position on the Board of Regents.
