Bellevue College President Jean Floten is leaving Bellevue College to become Chancellor of WGU Washington.

The organization, created by the Legislature in partnership with Western Governors University, is the state’s only all-online competency-based university.

Floten has been at Bellevue College since 1989, leading the college through its period of greatest growth. The college now serves about 39,000 students annually and offers bachelor and associate degrees in addition to a wide array of programs for special populations.

“Having the honor of serving as president of Bellevue College for over two decades has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Floten. “Clearly, a large part of my heart will be left behind, but WGU Washington is a great model that will benefit thousands of Washington students, pursuing bachelor and master degrees.”

WGU-Washington provides access to a high-quality, affordable education, Floten said. Students are recognized for what they already know and progress at their own pace to complete their degrees.

Floten also noted that another appealing aspect was that each student is as assigned a mentor and subject-matter experts to guide them through their education.

“Bellevue College has been blessed with Jean Floten’s guidance for the last 23 years,” said Vijay Vashee, chair of the Bellevue College Board of Trustees.

He added that “the state will still benefit from her presence.”

The BC Board of Trustees plans to appoint an interim president and begin a national search for a new president.

Upon learning of Floten’s departure, Douglas Brown, president of the Bellevue College Association of Higher Education commented, “Those of us who have been at the college for even half of her long tenure are keenly aware of the extensive growth and change that she has both catalyzed and managed. In very many ways the Bellevue College we know is an expression of her vision and a testament to her leadership.”

BC serves more than 38,000 students annually and is the state’s third largest educational institution. It offers educational programs in five general categories: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences; transfer study (the first two years of a bachelor’s degree) in more than 50 interest areas; work-related training through more than 90 degree and certificate programs in such fields as health care, information technology, business and interior design; adult basic education, including English language training; and Continuing Education programs in computing and technology, business and workplace skills (including contract training tailored for the workforces of individual employers), art, travel, languages and personal enrichment.