BCC names new deans, vice president

BELLEVUE, WASH. – Bellevue Community College (BCC) today announced the hiring of three new top-level administrators.

Dr. Peter Maphumulo, of Vancouver, Wash., has been named Executive Dean; Beatrice Hughes, of Seattle, has been selected as Vice President for Human Resources, and Norma Whitacre, of Issaquah, has been chosen as Dean of Instruction.

Peter Maphumulo is currently Dean of Liberal Arts and Mathematics for Portland Community College, Cascade Campus. Previously, he has held administrative positions with the Spokane Educational District and Washington State University.

Among other honors, Dr. Maphumulo was twice named the George B. Brian Outstanding Administrator at Washington State University.

Dr. Maphumulo earned a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Washington State University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum from the University of Montana, Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Education from Whitworth College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Charles College.

Dr. Maphumulo will begin his work at BCC July 1, replacing Dr. Ron Leatherbarrow, who is retiring after 10 years as Executive Dean and a 42-year career in higher education.

Beatrice Hughes brings to BCC the experience of a 26-year career in human resources for Seattle City Light, including an extended period as Interim Human Resources Officer.

She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado.

Beginning June 18, Hughes will replace Lucy Macneil, who is moving to part-time retirement after more than 16 years at BCC and a 35-year career in education, including more than 18 years at other Washington community colleges. Macneil will continue to work on special projects for BCC.

Norma Whitacre has previously served as Vice President for Business and Enterprise at Cascadia Community College, Associate Dean of Tacoma Community College’s Gig Harbor Peninsula College Center and director of admissions for the University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs.

For the past three years she has directed the implementation of BCC’s $1.6 million Department of Education grant, through which the college is enhancing its student advising and retention programs, general education curriculum, information systems and work processes.

Whitacre earned a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Puget Sound. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Washington University and an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Green River Community College.

Whitacre assumes her new role immediately, replacing Dr. James Bennett, who has been named the college’s first Vice President for Equity and Pluralism.

Serving 35,000 students annually, Bellevue Community College is the state’s third largest educational institution. BCC offers transfer study (the first two years of a bachelor’s degree) as well as work-related programs in information technology, health sciences and many other fields. This fall BCC will offer its first full bachelor’s degree: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences. BCC’s Continuing Education division offers programs in computing, various work-related topics, art, travel, languages and personal enrichment, as well as business contract training and small business development. Visit BCC on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu.

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