Yoshiko Harden Is the New Interim President of Seattle Central College in Washington State

Yoshiko Harden is now serving as the interim president of Seattle Central College. She is replacing Sheila Edwards Lange who left Seattle Central College to become chancellor of the University of Washington-Tacoma. (See WIAReport post.)

Seattle Central College enrolls more than 5,700 students, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 60 percent of the student body.

“I’m excited to assume the interim president role at Central,” said Dr. Harden. “I will work to continue the rich legacy of social justice and equity at the college, support our exceptional faculty and staff, and foster partnerships with business and industry that promote the success of our students.”

Dr. Harden served as vice president for student services at Seattle Central College from 2016 to 2021, overseeing areas such as student development, enrollment and registration, and the Guided Pathways initiative. Prior to Seattle Central, she served as vice president for diversity at Bellevue College, and as director of multicultural services and student development at Highline College. Her research interests and expertise center on Black males in community and technical colleges, racial microaggressions, and critical race theory.

Dr. Hardin earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and women’s studies from the University of California, San Diego. She holds a master’s degree in student development administration from Seattle University and a doctorate in higher education policy from Northeastern University in Boston.