Everett Community College selects presidential search finalists

Release Date: April 7, 2023

Contact: Jenny Marin, Interim Communications Director, 425-388-9203; jmarin@everettcc.edu 

Photos, from left: Chemene Crawford, Kerry Levett and Rachel Solemsaas

EVERETT, Wash. – After a national search, Everett Community College’s Board of Trustees has invited presidential search finalists Chemene Crawford, Kerry Levett and Rachel Solemsaas to campus April 11-13 to meet with employees, students and community partners in open forums. 

A 17-member committee of community members, faculty, staff and students reviewed applications, interviewed candidates and selected finalists. Board member Betty Cobbs chaired the committee, board member Jerry Martin served as co-chair, and consultant Charlene Dukes with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) provided support. 

“EvCC conducted an extensive nationwide search for the college’s next leader,” EvCC board chair Toraya Miller said. “The three highly qualified finalists are accomplished leaders whose skills and experience best match the college’s future challenges and opportunities.”

The finalists are:

Chemene Crawford, Ed.D., is president and CEO of North Seattle College. She has served over 30 years in higher education, including roles from full-time faculty member to associate vice chancellor, most recently serving at Dallas College. Crawford earned a doctorate of education in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a master’s in human resources and organization development and a bachelor’s of science in organizational behavior, both from University of San Francisco.

Kerry Levett, Ed.D., is vice president for student learning and success at Cascadia College. She previously served in roles ranging from part-time instructor to associate vice president for student affairs, most recently serving at Lane Community College. Levett earned a doctorate of education in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State University, a master’s in education from University of Colorado, and a bachelor’s in Christian education from Westminster College in Pennsylvania. 

Rachel Solemsaas, Ed.D., is chancellor of Hawai’i Community College. She has served in various financial and administrative roles at community colleges. Previously, she worked in finance and health and human services for Snohomish and King counties. Solemsaas earned a doctorate of education with an emphasis on community college leadership from Washington State University, a master’s in public administration from University of Washington, and a bachelor’s of science in accounting from De La Salle University in Manila. 

EvCC’s next president will lead an institution that educates more than 15,000 students per year and employs more than 800 faculty and staff at several locations throughout Snohomish County, with most students at the main campus in north Everett.

For more information about the search process, visit EverettCC.edu/PresidentialSearch.