Dr. Raymond Tymas-Jones, president of Cornish College of the Arts, has retired from his position after six years. His last day with the institution was July 25.

Former Cornish College Board Chairman Emily Parkhurst has stepped in as interim president as the board conducts a national search for a permanent replacement. Parkhurst served on the board for five years, two of which she acted as chairperson.

Tymas-Jones became the 10th president of Cornish College in 2018 after serving as the dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah for 12 years. During his tenure at Cornish, he led the college through the Covid-19 pandemic, rebuilt community programs, and initiated a campus unification plan, Cornish Board Chairperson Marianne Francis said.

“We wish him all the best in his retirement and reflect fondly on his time and service at Cornish,” Francis said.

Parkhurst is the founder and CEO of Formidable, a media company geared toward high-level women executives. Parkhurst spent her early career as an adjunct professor at several colleges in Maine, where she also covered education at a newspaper in Falmouth. Parkhurst moved to Seattle in 2012, and eventually served as a reporter, editor, and then publisher at the Puget Sound Business Journal. She is also a former professional musician.

“The Seattle arts community holds a special place in my heart,” Parkhurst said. “As an artist and musician, as well as a business leader, I see the incredible value Cornish brings to its students and the arts community. I am honored to assist in this transition for this important institution.” Cornish College boasts a student population of more than 500, offering Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in the performing and visual arts, a Bachelor of Music degree, and year-round public programs and extension courses.

Ahead of the fall semester, campus consolidation work has progressed, with the college transforming the Main Campus Center as well as other important classroom spaces. The college has added a wet studio and additional paint studio to support growing student interest, soundproof rooms for music practice, and new computer labs.

The fall semester marks the college’s 110th anniversary.

Note: Emily Parkhurst is married to Seattle magazine Executive Editor Rob Smith.