Dean College president Elmore stepping down

Photo | Courtesy of Dean College Kenneth Elmore, president at Dean College

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Kenneth Elmore, the 14th president of Dean College, is stepping down from his position at the private school in Franklin.

The school’s board of trustees will be tasked with finding Elmore’s replacement, according to a press release issued by the college on Thursday. No reason or exact timeframe for Elmore’s departure was given. Jennifer Kelly, vice president of marketing and communication at Dean, declined to elaborate on Elmore’s departure when reached by phone on Friday.

Elmore is the first Black president of the 159-year-old Dean College.

“It is with a blend of gratitude and well wishes that the board of trustees announces President Kenn Elmore will be stepping down from his position at Dean College,” the statement reads. “Since taking the helm after the tenure of our long-serving prior President, President Elmore has been guiding the institution through a crucial transition period.”

Elmore, who previously served as associate provost and dean of students at Boston University, was named the president of Dean College in June 2022, at the same time former Worcester city manager Edward Augustus was named the first-ever chancellor of Dean. Augustus left that position in April 2023 and was appointed the Massachusetts’ first Housing Secretary in more than 30 years by the Gov. Maura Healey Administration a month later.

“I’m excited about the notion that I can add to the incredible Dean story,” Elmore told WBJ in June 2022, shortly after he was hired. “These are challenging times for sure in higher education. But I like to be challenged.”

In April, Elmore was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, an award meant to highlight individuals who have demonstrated great achievement and a profound commitment to their society.