After serving as Tacoma Community College’s President and CEO for 17 years, Dr. Pamela Transue announced Tuesday she will retire at the end of this year.

“Under Pamela’s leadership, Tacoma Community College transformed into a nationally recognized community college,” said Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees Chair Chad Wright. “This was made possible because of her exceptional vision and her capability to work well with the trustees, faculty and staff through good times and some of the most difficult times in the history of the community college system. Her imprint will forever be a part of this college. I wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Before arriving at Tacoma Community College, Transue served as Executive Dean at Portland Community College, and as Special Assistant to the President at the University of Washington. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington, and a master’s degree and a Ph.D at Ohio State University. She also attended the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard.

Transue served on a number of local boards during her tenure at Tacoma Community College, including Tacoma Goodwill Industries, Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Pierce County, the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, the Pierce County Regence/Blue Shield Advisory Board, and Rotary 8. She earned the 2010 CEO of the Year Award for the Pacific Region from the National Association of Community College Trustees, and the 2010 CEO of the Year Award from the State of Washington Trustees Association.

Tacoma Community College’s Board of Trustees will immediately begin its search for a new president.