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Dr. Susan Henking, who has served as vice president of academic and student affairs at Wells since July 2022, has been named the school's new president by the board of trustees.聽

The appointment is effective Monday, according to Marie Chapman Carroll, chair of the college's board of trustees.聽

"Throughout her career, Dr. Henking has demonstrated a profound commitment to the success and well-being of students and to liberal education," Chapman Carroll said. "At Wells College, she has been respected especially as a champion for our community."聽

Henking's career in higher education began at another Finger Lakes institution. She was a professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva for more than 25 years.聽

In 2012, Henking was named president of Shimer College in Chicago. Shimer was acquired by North Central College in 2017. She oversaw the transition and received an honorary doctorate for her service to the college.聽

After leaving Shimer College, Henking was the interim vice president of academic affairs and student affairs at Salem Academy and College. She was named interim president of the school, a post she held from June 2020 to June 2021.聽

At Wells, Henking's leadership was on display during the final commencement in May. When graduating seniors asked for then-President Jonathan Gibralter to not have a large role in the ceremony, it was Henking who fulfilled many of those duties.聽

Over the next six months, Henking will guide Wells through a challenging process. As a private college, it must work with the state attorney general's office to dispose of its assets. There are also questions about what will happen with artifacts and how the school's legacy will be preserved.聽

Chapman Carroll highlighted Henking's leadership at Shimer College and how she "navigated complex changes with accreditors."聽

"She brings her insight and experience in transition processes and will partner with the board of trustees for such planning to work with our advisers to assure necessary compliance and to provide appropriate avenues for preserving Wells College's legacy," Chapman Carroll said.聽