Bioteau, a New Hampshire native, is SLCC's seventh, and first female, president.

In the job, she oversees the school's $98.5 million operating budget, 25,000-plus students, 318 faculty members and a 280-member staff.

"SLCC is in good hands because President Bioteau is committed to strengthening its mission as a comprehensive community college," Regents Chairman Nolan Karras said before presenting Bioteau with the president's medallion.

Bioteau said the inauguration filled her "with awe. I am humbled to stand before you as president and express my thanks for welcoming me into this amazing community," she told the audience made up of students, faculty, staff, community representatives and many of the state's political, government and business leaders.

Noting that SLCC's Redwood Campus now sits on land that once grew alfalfa, and its beginning as Salt Lake Area Vocational School, and later Salt Lake Trade Tech, Bioteau said the school's aim - although enlarged and evolved - remains the same: to provide gateways to learning, literacy and work force training.

SLCC, the 13th-largest college of its kind in the nation, is defined by six pillars: developmental education, career and technical education, transfer programs to four-year schools, adult and community education, community services education and student support services, Bioteau said. She identified three students whose life circumstances were changed through their experiences at SLCC.

Five years ago, 21-year-old Andronik, a Ukrainian immigrant, came to the U.S. penniless and unable to speak English. Even with poor English language skills, SLCC did not deny him admission. Through developmental reading and writing courses, he went on to earn a master's degree, Bioteau told the audience. SLCC faculty not only taught him, they inspired him, she added.

In explaining her vision, Bioteau said SLCC will be involved in local, national and international discussions about education and work-force development. A burst of faculty and staff applause erupted when she said she will work to bring SLCC salaries in line with peer institutions in the Rocky Mountain states.

Among the welcomes and tributes from Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie and Trustee Chairman Dave Thomas, was Zions Bank's announcement that it will create two SLCC presidential scholarships to be awarded yearly to a female and a male student. "We thought it would be a fitting legacy for this day to provide President Bioteau with scholarships she can offer at her discretion - whether it's an 18-year-old or a 40-year-old," said Zions President and Chief Executive Scott Anderson. The scholarships will cover tuition, fees and books.

In congratulating Bioteau on her inauguration, Trustee Thomas said: "I am convinced we have the right person, in the right place at the right time."

sykes@sltrib.com