After a decade of growth and success which included changing the school’s name, Pasco-Hernando State College president Katherine M. Johnson will retire from her post on June 30, 2015.
Johnson made the announcement in a letter to the school’s board of trustees Tuesday night, telling them that the decision was “bittersweet.” However, she said by then, she will have completed more than 10 years of service, fulfilling a promise she made to the board in 2004.
“It is my hope the timing of this announcement will allow the board ample opportunity to complete the search for and selection of a new president, ensuring a smooth transition in leadership by July 1, 2015,” Johnson wrote.
Len Johnson, the board’s chair, said Johnson’s “leadership is inspiring, and she will be greatly missed.”
During Johnson’s time, she oversaw the opening of the Spring Hill Campus in 2010, and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch last January. The school also changed its name from Pasco-Hernando Community College to Pasco-Hernando State college after it began to offer baccalaureate degrees. The school is now accepting applications for two new bachelor’s degrees, beginning this August.
Johnson told the board she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, retired PGA golf professional Chuck Johnson.
“My other commitment was to my husband, promising Chuck that I would join him in retirement at the end of a decade of service, to enjoy time with him, our extended family and friends,” Johnson said.
PHSC will begin its search for a new president as early as its upcoming July reorganizational meeting.
