An interim president for St. Paul College was named Wednesday following Rassoul Dastmozd’s sudden retirement.
Deidra Peaslee had been vice president of academic and student affairs at Anoka Ramsey Community College.
The Minnesota State Board of Trustees approved her appointment Wednesday. She starts July 1 and is expected to serve for one year before a permanent successor is named.
Dastmozd, 59, announced last month that he would step down from the position he held since 2011.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve our faculty, staff, students and community,” he wrote in an email to staff and students.
Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of the Minnesota State system, which oversees the college, thanked Dastmozd in a separate message last month.
“He has always been committed to student success and has tirelessly shared the Saint Paul College promise and story with community, business, and civic organizations throughout the region,” Malhotra wrote.
“His leadership and vision will have a lasting impact on the students the college serves and the economic opportunities within St. Paul and the entire metropolitan area for years to come.”
St. Paul College is the fifth-largest community college in the state with close to 7,000 students.
