New interim president named for Central Lakes College

BRAINERD — The Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system named a new interim president for Central Lakes College.

Kimberly Lynch will begin the role on July 1, and she is expected to serve for one year.

She is currently the associate vice chancellor for educational development and technologies at Minnesota State.

“Lynch has extensive experience with Minnesota State, including serving in leadership roles at three colleges and the system office,” stated Scott Olson, Minnesota State chancellor, in a news release.

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Central Lakes College

“She is a strategic thinker with a passion for helping faculty and staff to bring innovation to the forefront to help students succeed, and I am confident she will be a steady and effective leader for Central Lakes College during this year of transition.”

CLC has campuses in Brainerd and Staples.

During her time as associate vice chancellor, Lynch has also served in other interim positions, including as interim vice president for academic affairs at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji. She was also the interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for Minnesota State. She has also previously served in leadership roles at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College.

Lynch holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University, and a master’s and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Current CLC president Hara Charlier, who has been in the role since 2016, is taking a new position as president of Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts.