CHESTERTOWN — Mike Sosulski will continue to serve as Washington College’s president through the end of July before moving on to start a new job at Lake Forest College in Illinois.
WC announced Sosulski’s resignation in a news release Monday, July 7, the same day that Lake Forest announced on its website that Sosulski had been appointed the school’s 15th president effective Aug. 11.
Sosulski’s departure with limited notice comes amidst ongoing financial challenges “on the hill” in Chestertown and with the start of the new academic year just six weeks away.
Trustee emeritus and former Board of Visitors and Governors Chair Steve Golding ’72 will assume the role of provisional chief operating officer while the board finalizes interim leadership plans and prepares for a national search for Sosulski’s successor.
According to an email that he sent out July 7 to Washington College’s faculty and staff, current board Chair Rick Wheeler ’86 said he asked Golding to serve as the board’s liaison with the college’s senior management team during this initial period to provide time for the necessary campus consultations and deliberations to ensure the best path forward.
The full board approved this action on June 30, according to Wheeler’s email with “Presidential Transition” in the subject line.
Golding, who has 16 years of experience working in higher education as a chief financial officer, most recently with Ohio University, will work directly with Provost and Dean Kiho Kim, Vice President for Finance and Administration Mark Connell and Vice President for Planning and Policy and Chief of Staff Victor Sensenig to oversee the day-to-day operations of the college, according to Wheeler’s internal email that was obtained by The Evening Enterprise.
Golding will for the most part carry out these responsibilities remotely, though he will make time to be on campus for the start of the academic year, Wheeler wrote in the email to faculty and staff.
Golding “will also consult with other members of the senior leadership team and others as required and will meet weekly with myself and other board officers to keep the board apprised of any campus issues that may arise and the College’s readiness for the start of the academic year,” Wheeler said in the email.
The unanimous recommendation of the Board of Visitors and Governors’ presidential search committee, Sosulski was appointed Washington College’s 31st president in the summer of 2021. He arrived at a pivotal moment as WC faced a downturn in enrollment and a challenging financial landscape that included a reported $11 million deficit.
Under Sosulski’s leadership, according to the news release, Washington College worked to stabilize its finances and revitalize enrollment through improved recruitment and marketing strategies.
Since 2021, applications have risen by 120% and the college’s endowment has reached an all-time high of more than $330 million, according to the news release.
During Sosulski’s tenure, the college in 2022 invested $20 million in first-year residence hall renovations and campuswide Wi-Fi upgrades.
What was described in the news release as “other notable campus improvement projects” include the redesign of the Owings Library Terrace and student-inspired renovations to the Western Shore residence halls.
The college also began the process of removing three outdated residence halls — Dorchester, Cecil and Talbot — to make way for the new home of the Warehime School of Global Business, Economics, and Social Impact. Funded by a $15 million gift from Beth Warehime Rizakos ’13, the largest single donation from an individual in the college’s history, the facility is scheduled to open in January 2028.
Sosulski also oversaw the launch of the Innovation Plant, an entrepreneurship center that will be located at 800 High St. in one of the former Dixon Valve and Coupling Co. warehouse buildings. Washington College is reporting that the project, currently in the design phase, has secured about $5 million in public and private support.
Once completed, the Innovation Plant will support both Washington College students and local entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses on the Eastern Shore.
Other initiatives during Sosulski’s presidency include: establishing the Washington College Principles of Free Expression to foster open dialogue and debate; reinvigorating alumni relations with undertakings such as a fall homecoming and reboot of the Washington College Magazine; introducing a sophomore-year experience to boost student retention; strengthening civic engagement through the creation of the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Director of Civic Engagement role; and expanding athletics by adding men’s and women’s golf and reinstating cross country and track and field.
In a July 7 email to faculty, staff and students, Sosulski wrote: “As we have looked for opportunities to bring greater balance to Washington, I also have found the need to seek balance in my own life. It is within this context that an opportunity arose that would bring me closer to family in my hometown of Chicago and provide me with new, exciting challenges in service of the liberal arts. It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that I have accepted an offer to join Lake Forest College as its 15th president.”
Located about 30 miles north of Chicago, Lake Forest was founded in 1857. Today’s enrollment is about 1,600 students.
In the post on the Lake Forest College website, Sosulski said: “Growing up in suburban Chicago, I saw Lake Forest as the ideal liberal arts college — personal, rigorous, and full of opportunity. The chance to return home — personally and professionally — felt like a perfect fit. From the start, I was drawn to this community’s spirit: smart, curious, creative, and deeply caring. That’s a mission I deeply believe in, and I’m honored and excited to be part of it.”
Lake Forest’s board of trustees unanimously approved Sosulski’s appointment, which followed a national search.
Sosulski succeeds Interim President Robert Krebs, who has led the college since December 2024.
