This content was published: November 23, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Persson selected to lead Rock Creek Campus
Photos and Story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Katherine Persson has been selected by Portland Community College to be the next president of the Rock Creek Campus. 
Persson is the vice president of educational programs and services at Kingwood College in the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, located in The Woodlands, Texas. She has been in the position since 1996 and is responsible for all instructional areas and services of the college. As Rock Creek Campus President, Persson will oversee the operation and leadership of the campus, which serves 14,800 students annually. She will start Monday, Jan. 23."I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as the next president of Rock Creek Campus and to work in the PCC system," Persson said. "Besides being located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, both the campus and college have an excellent reputation. In fact, what attracted me most to the position is the challenge and opportunity to work in a progressive multi-campus system. After meeting with many campus employees and community members, I believe that this is a good fit for both."Persson earned a doctorate in educational administration in community college leadership from the University of Texas (2002), a masters degree in biology from Texas Womans University in the Texas Medical Center (1982) and a bachelors in biology from Southwest Texas University (1973). From 2000-2004, she served on the community chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for Montgomery County and the Leadership North Houston Board of Directors from 2000-2003. She has also served as an elected public school board trustee for the Splendora Independent School District for the past 15 years, seven of these as the board president.In her time at her current district, she worked as the vice president of educational programs and student development (1998-2004), vice president of educational programs (1997-98), associate dean of science, health care and applied technology (1993-96) and biology instructor (1984-93). In her professional career, Persson has been a recognized presenter around the country and has appeared in numerous publications. She also has earned plenty of honors. These include serving as a visiting scholar in the Community College Leadership Program at Texas (1999-2005), completing a year-long Leadership North Houston program sponsored by the North Harris Montgomery District and nine area chambers of commerce and local business, and being recognized by Community College Week’s "Beyond the Glass Ceiling" profile.The Rock Creek Campus is situated about 12 miles west of downtown Portland, in the rapidly growing Beaverton-Hillsboro area of Washington County in Oregon. The 256-acre campus, which opened in 1976, offers important educational services to a rural-suburban community and provides a beautiful setting for college transfer, and professional and technical programs.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »