Westminster chooses Bethami Dobkin as its 19th president, the second female leader in its history

Bethami Dobkin, former provost of Saint Mary’s College of California, has been named Westminster College’s 19th president.

She will be the second female to lead the college when she assumes the role in July.

The college announced the board of trustees’ decision Monday.

“In a world becoming increasingly divided, Westminster offers an education that can build connections and bring people together to help solve today’s most pressing problems,” Dobkin wrote in a news release. “I look forward to working with the Westminster community to provide students with an inclusive and supportive education, one that challenges students to create, innovate and lead with passion and integrity.”

She is replacing Stephen Morgan, who is retiring in May after 37 years at the private college and three as its president.

Dobkin has been provost of Saint Mary’s, a Catholic school, since 2008.

“Beth Dobkin is by far one of the most gifted leaders that I have ever worked with in higher education,” said the Moraga, Calif., school’s President James Donahue in a news release. She is also keenly aware of the many complexities affecting higher education today, and the critical role that liberal arts institutions serve in helping to shape the academic curricula and ethical priorities for colleges and universities in our nation.“

While Dobkin was at Saint Mary’s, the school saw the highest graduation rates in its history, according to the release.

A professor of communication, Dobkin has received national recognition for her research in media and conflict, according to the news release.