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Skagit Valley College and the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County partnership continues the success of Leadership Skagit

Skagit Valley College (SVC) and the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) are pleased to announce their continued partnership in the highly successful Leadership Skagit program. SVC President Tom Keegan and EDASC CEO John Sternlicht have signed a cooperative agreement that formalizes their commitment to providing vibrant, relevant, and innovative programming that will continue to serve the community’s leadership needs.

“SVC’s partnership with EDASC in Leadership Skagit is an excellent example of two organizations working together to build a stronger community,” said SVC President Tom Keegan. “John Sternlicht and I are excited to build upon the exceptional successes the program has enjoyed with new engagement experiences, networking opportunities, and professional connections that will respond to our community’s future leadership needs.”

The previous cooperative agreement under which Leadership Skagit was formed had expired, and EDASC and Skagit Valley College developed a new structure for the program under which EDASC continues to operate the program and Skagit Valley College provides a partial faculty position to update and manage the curriculum. Dr. Laura Flores Cailloux, who specializes in leadership development, fills that role.

“Dr. Keegan’s dedication to civic leadership development incorporating equity and inclusion makes Skagit Valley College and EDASC the ideal partners in this venture,” noted EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. “I know Tom joins me in expressing our gratitude to longtime Leadership Skagit Director Kate Bennett, who has created an amazing legacy, and in welcoming the new Program Manager, Mary Heffernan Trester of Anacortes, who starts in her new role on January 9.”

Leadership Skagit, a program of EDASC in partnership with Skagit Valley College, works to strengthen and transform our community by developing individual, business, and community leadership that is informed, inclusive, and connected through shared learning experiences. The program proudly counts more than 500 graduates since its inception in 2004. The intensive nine-month curriculum combines leadership skills development with in-depth information, study, and discussion on topics critical to the future of our region. In addition, participants work in small teams to identify, plan, organize, and implement a service project that will provide a lasting benefit to our community.

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Focused on Equity in Access, Achievement, and Community

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