Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s (LWIT) Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Sharon McGavick as interim president of the college effective Nov. 7. She replaces Dr. David Woodall, who passed away suddenly on Sept. 3. Dr. McGavick recently served as LWIT’s president from 2008 to 2011.

“Dr. McGavick’s demonstrated excellence in education leadership, administration and program development; extensive, experience with workforce development, funding and operations and the community/technical college community; and her unequivocal commitment to LWIT as a broad-based polytechnic college providing numerous workforce pathways to all our students makes her very well suited to move our college forward,” said Bruce J. Reid, chair of the LWIT Board of Trustees. “We are very pleased that Dr. McGavick has accepted the role as interim president.”

During Dr. McGavick’s recent presidency at LWIT, she lead the college toward its first applied baccalaureate degree; the development of several new programs — including occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, esthetician, massage practitioner, wine technology and the state’s first funeral services education program; successfully received funding for the new Allied Health Building; and intensified the institute’s focus on polytechnic education.

“I’m pleased to be back at LWIT to fully support the mission and vision of the college, if even for a short period,” said Dr. McGavick, who retired in in 2010. “I look forward to providing leadership to the tremendous faculty and staff while the college, community and board conduct a national search for a president.”

Prior to her presidency at LWIT, Dr. McGavick served as president of Clover Park Technical College from 1997 to 2006 after working as the dean of instruction at Green River Community College for six years. She received her doctorate in education from Oregon State University in 1984.

An interim president serves as the college’s leader, entrusted with all the executive power of the president, while the Board of Trustees conducts a national search for a permanent president. The board will begin their presidential search this month with the goal of selecting a candidate no later than May 2013.