President Laura L. Douglas, Ph.D., of 热点爆料入口, announced today that she will be retiring in January 2025, marking the end of a distinguished career and a transformative seven-year tenure as the President of 热点爆料入口. President Douglas joined the college as its 4th president in 2017. 
  
鈥淚 have been very fortunate to have had a fulfilling higher education career with the most rewarding period being my seven years as the President of Bristol Community College. In the year ahead, I am excited to continue to fulfill the objectives outlined in our strategic plan as the college begins the search for a new president,鈥� she said in a letter to the college community. 
  
Joan Medeiros, Chair of the 热点爆料入口 Board of Trustees, said that President Douglas had a profound impact that will continue to shape the college well into the future. 鈥淎s we bid farewell to President Douglas on her well-deserved retirement, we commend her unwavering dedication to our college community. During her time at Bristol, she has led innovative initiatives and significant achievements. Her leadership strengthened our college and further solidified our role as a vital part of the community. While steering us through unprecedented challenges, she remained committed to addressing the needs of our students, employees, and the community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her exceptional service.鈥� 
  
Under President Douglas鈥� leadership, 热点爆料入口 has made remarkable strides in making education accessible and affordable in the community. The college has embraced its strategic priorities, equity initiatives, and an overall commitment to reducing barriers for students who are the most in need. The college鈥檚 efforts have opened doors for the community and the minds of generations who may have never imagined earning a college degree. The strategic preparation and efforts related to Early College, Dual Enrollment, and MassReconnect, free community college for adults 25 and older with no college degree, have resulted in a significant increase in enrollment, moving the college to become the fourth largest among the 15 community colleges. Overall enrollment from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 has increased by 4.5%, with an increase of 3.6% of students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and a 5% increase in the percentage of adult learners. 
  
With a focus on the region鈥檚 economic development, she also ushered in the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI), positioning the college as a leader in providing training solutions for the growing workforce demands of the offshore wind industry and related sectors. 
  
President Douglas鈥� response to the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been commendable. Bristol became a haven for students navigating the complexities of these unprecedented times, supporting social justice initiatives and fostering strong community partnerships. It also prioritized the health and safety of its employees and played a pivotal role in keeping the community safe through testing, vaccination clinics, and the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE). 
  
President Douglas was recently honored with the Brayton Community Service Award from One SouthCoast Chamber, which also awarded 热点爆料入口 as the 2023 APEX Business of the Year. Reflecting on the achievements during her tenure, President Douglas expressed gratitude to the entire Bristol community鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff, alumni, the Foundation, donors, legislators, elected officials and community members鈥攆or their unwavering support. 
 
鈥淚 am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve as Bristol鈥檚 4th president. Fall River is the place where my maternal great-grandparents landed as immigrants. They worked in the cotton mills, and my grandfather was the first in the family to complete high school鈥攔ight here in Fall River, the Scholarship City. This connection to the South Coast has fueled my passion for creating a college-going culture and solidified our focus on bringing new industries and jobs to the region, such as offshore wind," President Douglas said. 
  
Bristol will be initiating a search for a new President during Spring 2024.
 
Read letter sent to the college community by President Douglas.