Stacey Sherwin named interim president at SKC

The Salish Kootenai College (SKC) Board of Directors recently announced the resignation of Interim President Dr. Michael Munson, effective Jan. 13, and the subsequent appointment of Dr. Stacey Sherwin as interim president.

Munson was appointed as interim president last June, following the retirement of Dr. Sandra Boham. According to a press release from SKC, Munson has accepted a new position at Washington State University as the Associate Vice Provost of Tribal Research and Graduate Education.

The college administration expressed its “sincere gratitude to Dr. Munson for her leadership, dedication, and service to the college and the community during her tenure as Interim President and as Vice President of Academic Affairs.”

Sherwin, who holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska, has dedicated more than 30 years of service to SKC. The board expressed confidence in her leadership through the ongoing transition.

Meanwhile, the board continues its national search for a permanent president.

SKC recognized for postsecondary success

Salish Kootenai College was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of six winners of its first-ever Postsecondary Success Recognition Program. Former Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona launched the program last April to celebrate institutions of higher learning “that are enrolling underserved student populations, facilitating successful student transfers and completions, and equipping graduates for careers that lead to economic mobility.”

The award announcement, released in early January, noted that SKC serves more than 600 students representing more than 60 tribes. The college serves nearly 80% underserved students of color and more than 65% of students receive federal Pell Grants to help them pay for a college education. A majority, 68%, transfer or graduate within eight years, and students earn more than high school graduates in the state on average after college.

“At SKC, promotion of a culture of success is the work of the whole college – every employee, every day,” the college noted in its application.

As a business major and member of the Couer d’Alene Tribe of Idaho, student Marie Aripa credited her success to SKC’s “emphasis and commitment to culture and creating a space for students like me to feel supported in the pursuit of higher learning."'

Prior to leaving her post, Munson said the recognition “finally acknowledges how truly incredible SKC has been and continues to be. Every person’s strength contributes to the well-being of students, their success, and the beauty of what is SKC.”

She called the college “a shining light,” and said colleagues across the nation regard SKC as “the Harvard of tribal colleges and universities.”