County Council honors outgoing Bellevue College President Jean Floten

July 18, 2011

Summary

Higher Education Leader recognized for two decades of service

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today recognized B. Jean Floten, the outgoing President of Bellevue College (BC). Floten joined BC in 1989 when it was still a community college. During her tenure the school grew significantly, blossoming into the third biggest learning institution in Washington state.

“Jean Floten has been a tireless advocate for higher education in this state,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “Her tenure at Bellevue College will be a benchmark for excellence. I wish her the best in her new endeavor, but we’re going to miss her on the Eastside.”

When Bellevue Community College opened its doors in 1966 it had a student body of 500 students. In her 23 years at the school, Floten oversaw the expansion of the college—it is now an institution serving over 39,000 students and lags only behind the University of Washington and Washington State University in total enrollment.

Floten is known for her leadership in expanding BC’s degree programs. Thanks to her efforts the college now offers 4-year degree programs in addition to wide range of associate degrees. Floten is also recognized for her advocacy on behalf of the state’s community college system.

Floten has received numerous honors including the “Public Official of the Year” award by the Municipal League of King County. She currently serves on the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chairs the Technology Committee for Washington Community and Technical Colleges, and is a member of the national advisory board for the Educational Testing Service.

In May, Floten announced that she accepted a position as Chancellor of Western Governor’s University (WGU). WGU is a private, online, non-profit university founded in 1997.

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RECOGNITION

WHEREAS, Jean Floten joined Bellevue College (formerly Bellevue Community College) as President and Chief Executive Officer of Community College District VIII in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Floten is widely noted for developing the college into an innovative, nationally-recognized institution; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure the Bellevue College Foundation has raised more than $35 million to support quality education and learning opportunities for all Bellevue College students; and

WHEREAS, under Mrs. Floten’s guidance, Bellevue College has experienced tremendous growth in academic offerings, total enrollment, and physical capacity, providing access for more students to pursue a variety of certificates and degrees; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Floten has consistently proven her ability to move Bellevue College forward in great strides, providing the vision for significant growth and inspiring staff and students to make these goals a reality; and

WHEREAS, even though she will be missed by our community, we wish Mrs. Floten the best in her next endeavor as Chancellor of Western Governor’s University;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, recognize,

B. JEAN FLOTEN

for her leadership in higher education and her nationally-acclaimed service to Bellevue College.

DATED this eighteenth day of July, 2011.

The Council recognized outgoing Bellevue College President B. Jean Floten  for her 23 years of service as President of the school.