Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC selects familiar face to serve as interim president at Rock Creek

Photos and story by James Hill

Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams appointed Birgitte Ryslinge to serve as interim campus president of the Rock Creek Campus, 17705 N.W. Springville Road. Ryslinge has been the dean of instruction for Rock Creek since 2008.

“I am thrilled,” Ryslinge said. “This campus is made up of wonderful faculty, staff, and students who are innovative, motivated, and committed to student success. While there are many challenges for institutions of higher education, we have amazing opportunities ahead. I am delighted to assume interim leadership at Rock Creek and to have the opportunity to work with students, staff and faculty in this new role.”

Ryslinge starts on Wednesday, Jan. 2 and will remain in the position until a permanent campus president is hired. Pulliams, who is retiring in June, anticipates launching a national search in the spring and have a search advisory committee identify several finalists by the time PCC selects its new college president. The new PCC leader would then select the permanent Rock Creek president.

Ryslinge, who has helped lead Rock Creek’s bond planning, has reorganized the instructional divisions at the campus to align with regional industry needs and better serve the campus’ growing student population. Ryslinge has supported faculty in developing new programs in healthcare, natural resource management and zoo technician. She has served in key college-wide leadership roles as well, providing support to a variety of PCC advising councils. Prior to coming to the college, she was dean of Academic Services, Vocational Education and Economic Development for Las Positas College in California. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University.

In early November, current Rock Creek President David Rule announced that he was leaving this January to become the new president of Bellevue College – the largest community college and the third largest institution of higher learning in Washington state. He served as campus president for the past four years at PCC’s fastest growing comprehensive location in the Rock Creek Campus, which accommodates almost 26,000 students annually. During the past five years, Rock Creek has grown in total enrollment by 63 percent.

“Rock Creek has a history of meeting industry needs while providing an inclusive and positive learning environment,” said President Pulliams. “So, I’m pleased that Birgitte will continue with that spirit. I know that Rock Creek will continue to grow and thrive in the future as it has under Dave’s leadership.”