UW vice president tapped to serve as interim president of Seattle Central College

In August, Sheila Edwards Lange, Ph.D., took the helm of Seattle Central College as its new interim president. She was selected to fill the position left by former president Paul T. Killpatrick, Ph.D., who stepped down at the end of June.

“Seattle Central is uniquely positioned to influence the economic and social well-being for thousands of families in our region,” said Edwards Lange in a press release in June. “I am honored to be part of the leadership team that builds upon the tradition of excellence at Seattle Central.”

Edwards Lange comes to Seattle Central from the University of Washington (UW), where she served as vice president for Minority Affairs and vice provost for Diversity. A statement by the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity on her departure said she “broadened college access, supported student success and enhanced diversity-related teaching and learning on campus” during her tenure.

Edwards Lange has also held positions in academic and student services at the University of California, Irvine; Western Washington University; and the University of Washington. She has served on national, state and local committees and boards to advance equity and inclusion in higher education. Prior to joining UW, Edwards Lange worked for the Seattle Colleges District and North Seattle College.

“I know the power of community colleges, I know how they transform lives … it’s a great place to work
and be impactful in the community,” she said in an article for the Seattle Times.

Edwards Lange earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies and her master’s in public administration from the UW Evans School of Public Affairs, where she teaches as an adjunct faculty member. She received a bachelor’s in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine.

Plans for a national search to select a permanent president will be announced in the fall. The search is expected to last about one year.