Mary Spilde is retiring from Lane Community College in 2017

Mary Spilde said she will retire from her post as president of Lane Community College in June 2017.

(Andrew Theen/The Oregonian)

Mary Spilde, Lane Community College's president since 2001 and a national leader in community college circles, said she plans to retire in 2017.

Spilde made the announcement at the Eugene-based community college's board meeting Wednesday night.

The 64-year-old is the second-longest active serving president at Oregon's 17 community colleges and has served for years on national higher education boards and task forces, elevating the profile of the Eugene-based institution.

In a statement, Spilde, who was born and raised in Scotland, said she will continue to advocate for LCC and Oregon community colleges on the national level, but she wants to focus more time on her family and other interests, including a first grandchild expected this month.

"I came to this country almost 40 years ago with two suitcases, my life savings of $1900 and an education," Spilde said in a statement. "It was that education that afforded me the opportunities I have had. Discovering community colleges was the beginning of a lifelong passion for our mission and our students, eventually bringing me to Lane where it has been an absolute honor to serve as president," she added.

Spilde said she will spend the next 17 months helping the school in its "quest for fiscal stability," as well as finalizing a new strategic plan for the college, improving student success and other measures.

She announced her retirement plans more than a year early to ensure the school has enough time to hire "the right person for a dynamic institution like Lane."

LCC's full-time enrollment was 10,464 last year.

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen