(Cleveland) – Tri-C will be looking for its first new president since the early 1990s.

Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton announced Thursday that she will retire, effective June 30, from Cuyahoga Community College.

Tri-C, currently marking a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, was Ohio’s first community college and remains its largest.

Dr. Thornton became its third president on Jan. 2, 1992, after serving six years as president of Lakewood Community College (now known as Century College) in White Bear Lake, Minn. She began her community college career in 1971 as an English faculty member at Triton College in a Chicago suburb and remained there until she left in1985 from her position as the dean of Academic Affairs.

“With the continued support and confidence of the Board of Trustees, the College Foundation and the people of Cuyahoga County, it has been my distinct privilege to work with our outstanding faculty and staff to promote student success in collaboration with our community partners,” said Thornton.

“Together, we have steadily expanded affordable and accessible opportunities for student achievement and success and to meet the ever-evolving needs of our region’s employers. I am extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish and believe this is the appropriate time for me to bring closure to my tenure and for the College to begin the transition to new leadership. We have recently launched several major academic initiatives, implemented new student success strategies and completed many major capital projects.”

A search advisory committee, which will include trustees as well as faculty, staff and community representation, will be chaired by Trustee David W. Whitehead, immediate past president of the Board. Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, retired president of Kent State University and Bowling Green State University, will be among its members.

The Board will also engage an executive-search firm to conduct a national search for the new President.

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