The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday recognized B. Jean Floten, the outgoing president of Bellevue College (BC). Floten joined the school in 1989 when it was still a community college. During her tenure the school blossomed into the third biggest learning institution in Washington state.

“Jean Floten has been a tireless advocate for higher education in this state,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, whose district includes the college. “Her tenure at Bellevue College will be a benchmark for excellence. I wish her the best in her new endeavor, but we’re going to miss her on the Eastside.”

In May, Floten announced that she accepted a position as Chancellor of Western Governor’s University (WGU). WGU is a private, online, nonprofit university founded in 1997.

When Bellevue Community College opened its doors in 1966 it had a student body of 500 students. In her 23 years at the school, Floten oversaw the expansion of the college — it is now an institution serving over 39,000 students and lags only behind the University of Washington and Washington State University in total enrollment.

Floten is known for her leadership in expanding BC’s degree programs. The school now offers 4-year degree programs in addition to wide range of associate degrees. Floten is also recognized for her advocacy on behalf of the state’s community college system.

Floten has received numerous honors including the “Public Official of the Year” award by the Municipal League of King County. She currently serves on the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, chairs the Technology Committee for Washington Community and Technical Colleges, and is a member of the national advisory board for the Educational Testing Service.