Schools

NSCC Names Longtime Administrator Forsstrom as Interim President

The longtime administrator at the community college says she hopes to hold things steady while a search for a permanent hire continues this summer.

With Wayne Burton set to retire from the helm at North Shore Community College next week, the local institution has named longtime administrator Janice Forsstrom of Peabody as Interim President until a permanent hire is made.

Forsstrom, 62, has spent 39 years at NSCC, which is based in Danvers, most recently serving as the Vice President of Administration and Finance. Burton, who led the college for 13 years, retires July 31 and Forsstrom will take over as of Aug. 1.

Burton, in an interview with the Salem News, said Forsstrom "lives and breathes [the] college."

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"I've been fortunate to be part of the tremendous growth of North Shore Community College and blessed with the many colleagues and friendships developed over time; it's a wonderful place to work, I love the people and challenges, and am truly excited for the role that will prepare for transition to a new President later this year,” Forrstrom said in an announcement.

She added that Burton leaves a legacy of "building hope and opportunity for the region," which she hopes to sustain in the college's current strategic plan -- she's worked on the past three five-year plans.

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"I am looking forward to continuing to fulfill the vision of a welcoming college at all our locations (Danvers, Lynn, Beverly) and to serve the needs of the North Shore," she said.

The Board of Trustees, in appointing Forsstrom, praised her as a "talented administrator" with broad expertise in finance, strategic planning, information technology, administrative systems and facilities planning, as well as a strong advocate for technology that "advances operational effectiveness, teaching/learning and student success."

Forsstrom currently oversees a $50 million annual operating budget and all four NSCC campuses. That includes about 13,000 students in total.

She also managed, from start to finish, the construction of the college's new Health Professions and Student Services building, which is the first "zero net energy" (highly energy-efficient) facility in Massachusetts and the second largest in the country. The new center opened in 2012.

Forsstrom is a Marblehead High grad and has worked at NSCC since 1974 when the college was based in downtown Beverly. She started out in the grants office and was eventually named VP in 2003.

She has a bachelor's degree from Regis College, a master's from Boston University and serves on the board of the North Shore Technology Council.

Forsstrom has also chaired a state council of community college administrators and was a commissioner for the Essex National Heritage Association. She was named among the North of Boston Business and Professional Women of the Year in 2003.

The college says it is in the midst of a nationwide search for a permanent presidential hire and expects to have finalists on campus for visits in September.


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