Bennett College has announced that President Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, will step down from her role effective June 30, 2025, following a transformative tenure marked by significant achievements and strategic advancements.
Appointed in 2019, Walsh has steered Bennett through an extraordinary period of change, helping the college shift from a critical to a stable status. Her tenure focused on optimizing resources and aligning the institution’s goals with its historic social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion mission. Under her leadership, Bennett College transitioned its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. ‘
“Working with an incredible community of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumnae, we have improved the overall position of the College,” President Walsh stated in her resignation letter. “Bennett College is well-situated for its next chapter of growth and impact.”
Walsh’s Mark On Bennett
One of Walsh’s hallmark initiatives was redesigning the traditional 16-week college model into a minimester format to reduce students’ cognitive load. This innovative approach has significantly boosted student retention rates to over 85% for the past four years, exceeding the national average of 75.6% for full-time students.
North Carolina State Senator Gladys Robinson, who served as Board Chair during Walsh’s presidency, praised her visionary leadership. ” Suzanne emerged as a visionary leader who adeptly navigated the complexities of the academic landscape,” Robinson said. “She created a blueprint for transformational change that optimized the college, enhanced the student experience, and positioned us as leaders in social justice and mental health.”
Bennett College also gained recognition during Walsh’s leadership, being designated a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for five consecutive years and ranking #1 in Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report in 2022-23. Additionally, the college was recognized as one of the nation’s “Best Women’s Colleges” by BestCollege.com in 2023.
As the board prepares for Walsh’s departure, it appoints an interim search firm to identify an interim president who will begin transitioning before July 1, 2025. A comprehensive national search for the next president will also be launched.
President Walsh’s departure marks the end of a pivotal chapter for Bennett College, and she leaves a legacy of resilience and innovation.
This article sources information from Bennett College.
