HOT SPRINGS - National Park Community College President Sally Carder announced her retirement to faculty and staff members Wednesday afternoon after notifying the board of trustees.
Carder announced her plans in accordance with the college’s early retirement policy. Her retirement will take effect June 30.
She thanked the crowd for letting her serve as the first female president of the college, which has seen three presidents in its 40 years of existence.
Carder said members of the board and her co-workers have become family to her during her time at the college. The decision has been difficult, she said, adding that she has things she wants to do and dreams to realize.
“I have been toying with this idea of retiring since last year,” Carder said.
She said there are still things to accomplish at the college,which she said is “on the cusp” of so many things.
Carder plans to stay in Hot Springs and remain involved with the school and the community. She said she plans to remain “in the middle” of any needs at the college, singling out the need for a new technical campus.
A millage campaign failed in April that would have provided the college with funds to build a new technical campus. The college is continuing talks with Henderson State University in Arkadelphia to select a shared location in Hot Springs.
The president credited the faculty and staff members for a list of accomplishments and milestones reached in the past decade.
“I cannot tell you what an awesome honor it has been to be your leader for the past eight years,” Carder said. “I tell you, no leader can do it on their own.”
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 10/25/2013