January 15, 2025 – Bennett College has announced that President Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, will step down from her role effective June 30, 2025. Since her appointment in 2019, President Walsh has guided the institution through a period of remarkable transformation, positioning Bennett College as a leader in innovation and academic excellence.
Under President Walsh’s leadership, Bennett College transitioned from a period of critical challenges to one of stability and growth. Her visionary approach aligned the College’s historic mission of social justice and equity with forward-thinking strategies, securing its place as an institution “Open to and for the Future.”
One of Walsh’s significant achievements was optimizing Bennett’s resources and steering the successful transition from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). This strategic move aligned the College with a mission-driven accreditor, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Walsh also spearheaded a revolutionary academic redesign, replacing the traditional 16-week semester model with a minimester format to ease students’ cognitive load. This shift resulted in an impressive retention rate of over 85% for the past four years—far surpassing previous years and the national average of 75.6%. During her tenure, Bennett’s faculty led a curriculum overhaul, aligning programs with the College’s mission and ensuring relevance in today’s higher education landscape.
Bennett College’s national reputation flourished under Walsh’s leadership. The institution earned recognition as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for five consecutive years, achieved the #1 ranking in Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report in 2022 and 2022-2023, and was named one of the nation’s “Best Women’s Colleges” by BestColleges.com in 2023.
North Carolina State Senator Gladys Robinson, former Chair of Bennett’s Board of Trustees, remarked,
“Suzanne Walsh joined Bennett at a pivotal moment, bringing visionary leadership and creating a blueprint for transformational change. Her strategic stewardship enhanced the student experience and positioned Bennett as a leader in social justice and mental health.”
In her resignation letter, President Walsh expressed gratitude:
“Leading Bennett College through a time of transformation has been an extraordinary honor. Working alongside dedicated Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumnae, we’ve strengthened the College and prepared it for its next chapter of impact and growth.”
Board Chair Cassandra Jones Havard echoed these sentiments, stating,
“President Walsh’s contributions will resonate for generations. She has instilled hope, created a foundation of sustainability, and ensured that Bennett College remains a beacon for preparing women of color for leadership roles.”
The Board of Trustees has engaged a search firm to identify an interim president, who will begin transitioning before Walsh’s departure and assume the role on July 1, 2025. A Presidential Search Committee will also be formed to conduct a national search for Bennett College’s next leader.