Bucks President Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt has announced that she will retire on June 30, 2021.
Shanblatt began her position as college president in 2012 and is the fourth president of BCCC.The college has announced the search for her replacement with the help of an appointed search committee.
Staff members and students had a very positive perspective of Shanblatt. Elizabeth “Betsy” Watson, 20, communications major, stated, “I think the current president handled COVID-19 really well. I think having basically all classes remote was a great idea.”
Watson commended the college’s quick response to COVID-19, and said she saw no “changes” that she could think of regarding the president’s course of action.
Communications Professor Shawn Queeney spoke positively regarding the president, and the changes she made after coming to BCCC, such as the introduction of signs to guide people around the campus.
Shanblatt has been transparent through the process or her retirement, which includes active updates to the student body on the website that the college has provided so the community can be effectively updated.
Blake H. Eisenhart, the chair of the BCCC Presidential Search Committee, provided an update on the ongoing search. Eisenhart mentioned that their search committee is contracted with the firm Greenwood Asher so they may effectively search for Shanblatt’s replacement.
Shanblatt stated that she is “not actively working with the search committee because that is the role of the committee. The committee did seek (her) input regarding the opportunities for the new president and (she) appreciated being asked.”
Shanblatt also shared details on the work the college is accomplishing this year.
“We will complete the Newtown campus core beautification project. And, we have begun the implementation of Workday, a new computer system. In January, we will begin using Workday for HR and Finance functions at the college. And, in the spring we will begin a multi-year implementation of Workday Student to replace our current system, Colleague. (Students may recognize it as Student Planning.) We will also begin construction on our new Center for Advanced Technologies next month and while it won’t be finished by next June, it should be well on its way.”
She added, “We are also continuing to strengthen our outreach to students to ensure they support and assistance to be successful. And, we are finalizing our Accreditation Self Study to ensure the college is reaccredited in 2022.”
Shanblatt spoke positively of her time at Bucks, and proudly of what she has accomplished. She spoke enthusiastically about the work done to fight food insecurity to the new Science Center in Newtown.
The president shared a final thought to leave with students. “Bucks is an amazing place. Regardless of who the president is or will be, what makes Bucks amazing is the faculty and staff. There is a true and strong dedication to ensure that students are successful and meet their educational goals. It’s a beautiful college – all three campuses have their own special beauty and personality – and a great place to learn.”