Dr. Paul Killpatrick brings both experience and a well-developed vision for building onto Seattle Central's position as a vibrant, multicultural urban campus. His experience includes two years as president at Lake Tahoe Community College in California and six years as president of Great Basin Community College in Nevada.
At Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore., he served two years as the vice president of Instructional Support and Community Development, and four years as vice president of Instruction. Earlier, he served as dean for Professional and Career Education, and dean for Instructional Support and Special Populations at Yakima Valley Community College in Yakima, Wash., and he also held administrative and faculty positions at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore.
In his leadership positions, he has focused on establishing an institutional culture that supports economic development while also being responsive to the numerous constituencies within the college. He implemented an Honors Program, developed cross-disciplinary courses, expanded distance education and initiated a student-centered class schedule. Killpatrick has served on numerous community and higher education boards and committees. As chair of the Elko County Economic Development Authority, he helped secure funds from the state legislature to establish the Northeastern Nevada Regional Railport. He also served on the Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan Steering Committee and the Hispanic-American and Native-American Advisory Boards at Great Basin College.
Killpatrick holds a doctorate degree in postsecondary education from Oregon State University, a master’s degree in counseling from Western Oregon State University in Monmouth, Ore., and a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Oregon State University.
Mark Mitsui became the twelfth president at North Seattle Community College in July 2010, bringing years of experience as an administrator at community colleges throughout Western Washington and special expertise in student success and diversity programs.
He came to North from South Seattle Community College, where he had served as vice president of Student Services and led a team that secured a $2.4 million Department of Education grant and designation for the college as one of a nationally select group of Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions. He also headed the Opportunity Grant team, which helped establish the college as a state leader in achievement of key student progress milestones.
Mitsui’s career also includes service as assistant dean of Student Services at Green River Community College, where he led the college’s first diversity training process and was recognized with an International Exemplary Leadership in Higher Education Award. Earlier in his career, Mitsui served as manager of the Wellness Center at North; college athletic director; Seattle Community College District athletics commissioner for the NWAACC; and he established equitable funding for men’s and women’s athletic teams. When he became Director of Student Success and Retention Services at North, Mitsui worked with the campus community to develop innovative programs to improve student success and retention.
Mitsui is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Washington, where he also earned his master’s degree in the same field. He has a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University.
Gary Oertli brings a wealth of community college leadership experience and enthusiasm to South Seattle Community College. His experience includes five years at the Seattle Community Colleges – most recently as interim president at Seattle Central Community College and before that at South Seattle Community College. He also served as interim vice president for Instruction at South and interim dean for Business, Information Technology and Creative Arts at Seattle Central.
Oertli was president and CEO of Shoreline Community College for five years and was honored as president emeritus when he retired. Prior to that, he spent 20 years at Edmonds Community College as part-time instructor, tenured faculty member, associate dean and dean, executive vice president for Instruction and Student Services, and as interim president.
A West Seattle native, Oertli is a graduate of Chief Sealth High School in the Seattle Public Schools system. He earned his bachelor's degree and master’s of education in business from the University of Washington, where he later served as Alumni Association president. He also completed the Executive Management Program in the UW Graduate School of Business Administration.
Contact the District Public Information Office regarding information present on this page.
Green for the 21st Century in Seattle
Innovations in curriculum and operations have earned the 2009 Green Washington Award for the Seattle Community Colleges – Central, North and South. All three colleges are active members of the Seattle Climate Partnership and North was an early signer of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. A district-wide Chancellor’s Sustainability Initiative provides energy, focus and a forum for emerging training and initiatives.
Sustainability is infused into programs ranging from urban agriculture at Central to environmental science, real estate and building management across the district. Students have funded a sustainability coordinator. Campus activities include reducing the carbon footprint and promoting recycling and energy conservation, which earned a “Recycler of the Year” award for South. Last year, the college culinary operations diverted 31 tons of materials to a regional composting facility – which returned the compost to “green” the college landscape.
For more information visit www.seattlecolleges.edu/green
Helping displaced workers to ‘Start Next Quarter’
During the economic downturn, thousands of displaced workers turned to the Seattle Community Colleges at the same time regional employers reported a need for skilled workers to fill jobs in the new economy. To help both potential workers and employers, the Seattle Community Colleges developed Start Next Quarter (SNQ), a two-part initiative designed to improve the success of dislocated workers who enroll in technical education programs. SNQ invites prospective students to assess their eligibility for workforce funding online and connects them to a comprehensive two-day college success workshop held at each campus. The workshops are based on a model developed at one of the district campuses. Students who complete the workshop are more likely to complete their training programs and to obtain jobs using their new skills. The project was developed in part through a grant from the League for Innovation, funded by the Walmart Foundation Bright Futures project to serve displaced workers.
Visit www.startnextquarter.org
A Model for the Region
The Opportunity Center for Employment and Education at North Seattle Community College is a regional resource and the first integrated service center of its kind in Washington state. Since the OCE&E opened its doors in spring 2011, more than 40,000 people have come for one-stop help in finding a new job, career retraining or to sign up for public assistance benefits. Founding partners were the state Departments of Social and Health Services and Employment Security, the college, and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. The campus and the new LEED Gold Certified 45,000-square foot facility are in the heart of Seattle’s north end and close to a major transit hub. House Speaker Frank Chopp and Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (sponsor of the legislation and a former Seattle District trustee) championed the OCE&E in the state legislature. The center aims to provide streamlined services in a positive environment, helping clients succeed in the next stage of their lives.