Bellevue College has named one of its own graduates, Thomas R. Nielsen of Seattle, to the post of Executive Dean of Instruction.

Nielsen becomes the college’s chief academic officer, overseeing its 150 instructional programs and handling related organizational issues.

Previously, Nielsen chaired Bellevue College’s Arts and Humanities Division for 13 years. That assignment followed 14 years of service, including eight as program chair, on the faculty of the college’s Interior Design program.

Nielsen is a registered architect in Washington state and has worked professionally in that field since 1977, primarily as principal of his own consulting firm.

He holds Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts degrees in environmental design from the University of Washington.

Nielsen, who replaces Peter Maphumulo, had been serving as Interim Executive Dean of Instruction since spring.

Nationally-recognized for its innovative programs, Bellevue College is the third largest educational institution in Washington state, behind only the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Serving approximately 35,000 students each year, Bellevue College offers associate-degree transfer programs (the first two years of college) in 58 areas of concentration; 94 work-related associate-degree and certificate programs in information technology, health sciences, business professions, interior design, public safety and other fields; and developmental programs in adult basic education and English as a second language.