Olympic College Names Dr. Chantae Recasner as President

Recasner is expected to begin in the role May 18, after contract negotiations were completed following the board’s initial public offer earlier this month.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Recasner has accepted the offer to be President of Olympic College, Board of Trustees Chair Harriette Bryant said. “Her expertise and experience leading Seattle Central College will be invaluable in her new role.”

The March 17 vote marked a key step in a presidential search process that began in July 2025. Presidential finalists participated in open forums, answered questions from attendees and met with college leadership as part of the selection process, which was supported by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and executive search firm Academic Search. Feedback from those efforts informed the board’s decision.

“I would like to thank everyone at Olympic College who helped us reach this stage in the search process,” Bryant said. “We’ve reached a pivotal moment in a process that began last summer.”

Recasner brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education. Her previous roles have included tenured faculty member, dean of instruction and vice president of instruction.

She has served as interim president of Seattle Central College since 2024 after being appointed by the Seattle Colleges District chancellor and board of trustees. She remains in that position.

Recasner holds a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati, awarded in 2009; a master of business in operational excellence from Ohio State University, awarded in 2017; and two master of arts degrees from Ohio State, both awarded in 2003, in teaching and learning and African and African American studies. She earned a bachelor of arts in English from Loyola University New Orleans in 2001.

Recasner will be the third woman and first African American to lead Olympic College.

The Board of Trustees also recognized Joan Hanten, who has served as interim president since June 2025, for her leadership during the transition.

“Joan stepped into the role without hesitation and her leadership has been invaluable,” Bryant said. “She has been a dedicated leader at Olympic College for many years, including the past nine months as Interim President.”

Hanten will remain in the interim role during the transition.