A local college president will keep his job for another 3 years. The Augustana College Board of Trustees has renewed President Steve Bahls' contract. He has been with the college since 2003.
Five years ago, Bahls and his staff created the Augustana 2020 plan attract a wider range of students. One goal was to increase the number of international students to 10% by the year 2020. Currently, the international student population is at 8%.
The Augustana trustees have also hired a Vice President of Diversity and an Executive Director of Career and Development.
Eight years ago, as chair of the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce, Bahls helped lead the merger with the Iowa chambers of commerce. And he remains a board member.
Before coming to Augustana, Bahls earned his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, and was also served as the dean of Capital University Law School in Ohio.
His new contract will end in 2021.