(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — North Central College made history Tuesday afternoon by naming Dr. Anita Thomas as its 11th president.
With a career spanning more than 25 years in higher education, she will be the first woman and the first person of color to lead the school in its 162-year history.
"I cannot begin to tell you just absolutely how grateful I am for this opportunity," Thomas said. "It has just been a phenomenal pleasure to be selected to serve as your president-elect, and I'm so grateful to be now a part of the North Central College family."
Thomas previously served as executive vice president and provost at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn.
As a higher education leader, Thomas said she's guided by a deep commitment to student growth and development.
"For me, education is activism. It is the power to change lives," Thomas added. "We have the awesome responsibility, as your mission statement says, to encourage individuals with curiosity to be engaged, to be ethical, responsible citizens and leaders of local and national and global context. I love that."
The 55-year-old was unanimously elected by the college's board of trustees following a monthslong national search.
She will assume her official role as president on July 1.
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