Bennett College President Suzanne Walsh Steps Down, Lands at a University in Seattle
GREENSBORO, NC – Bennett College President Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, will step down from her role effective June 30, 2025, concluding a transformative tenure that strengthened the institution’s academic and financial stability. Walsh was appointed as the next president of City University of Seattle (CityU) on Thursday (Feb. 27), making history as the first woman and first person of color to lead the institution.
Walsh’s Legacy at Bennett College
Appointed in 2019, Walsh led Bennett College through a critical period of change, focusing on optimizing resources and aligning the college with its historic mission of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under her leadership, Bennett successfully transitioned its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
One of her signature initiatives was redesigning the traditional 16-week semester into a minimester format, reducing students’ cognitive load and improving retention rates to over 85% for four consecutive years—well above the national average of 75.6% for full-time students.
Walsh’s tenure also saw Bennett College gain national recognition, including being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for five consecutive years, ranking #1 in Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2022-23), and being recognized among the Best Women’s Colleges by BestCollege.com in 2023.
“Working with an incredible community of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumnae, we have improved the overall position of the College,” Walsh stated in her resignation letter. North Carolina State Senator Gladys Robinson, who served as Board Chair during Walsh’s presidency, praised her visionary leadership: “Suzanne emerged as a leader who created a blueprint for transformational change, enhancing the student experience and positioning Bennett as a leader in social justice and mental health.”
With Walsh’s upcoming departure, Bennett College’s Board of Trustees has begun the search for an interim president to take over on July 1, 2025, and will launch a comprehensive national search for her permanent successor.
New Leadership Role at City University of Seattle
As Walsh prepares to leave Bennett, she steps into a new chapter as president of City University of Seattle, a role that aligns with her extensive background in higher education innovation. Walsh, a former deputy director of postsecondary success at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has spent more than two decades shaping policies to improve degree completion rates for underserved students.
CityU, which serves working adults, military students, and international learners, selected Walsh to expand its student-centered mission. Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University and Chair of CityU’s Board of Trustees, praised Walsh’s appointment: “Suzanne has been a powerful catalyst for student success, working across HBCUs, public universities, and community colleges to expand access, enhance learning, and help students finish strong.”
Walsh, who holds degrees from Cornell University, Case Western Reserve University, and Hudson Valley Community College, expressed excitement about returning to Seattle. “I’ve been fortunate to call Seattle and the Puget Sound region home for many years, and the opportunity to give back to this vibrant community by leading CityU is truly meaningful,” Walsh said. “What drew me to CityU is its student-centered mission of empowering students from all backgrounds—whether it’s adult learners balancing education with career and family, international students earning a U.S. degree, or professionals upskilling for the next phase of their career.”
As Bennett College prepares for its next chapter, Walsh leaves behind a legacy of resilience and innovation, setting her sights on advancing City University of Seattle’s commitment to accessible education.