It took a year to officially welcome the new Salt Lake Community College president to her post, but Cynthia Bioteau hasn't wasted any time taking the reins.

The East Coast native was sworn in as the school's seventh president and first female leader Monday, almost a year after joining the school.

Since her arrival last summer, Bioteau has re-written the college's mission statement and — in a move that endeared her to students across campus — was the only Utah college president to oppose a tuition increase this year.

While other Utah schools all imposed a school-specific tuition hike, Bioteau said she could not raise the rates after she promised students to reallocate internally before indulging in the "pattern of asking the students."

"President Bioteau has worked tirelessly to strengthen our college. She has kept every commitment she made," student body president Jeremiah Watson said.

Bioteau came from North Carolina to take the SLCC position after serving as vice president for instruction and chief academic officer at Forsyth Technical Community College.

Higher Education Commissioner Rich Kendell said Bioteau was chosen to lead Salt Lake's two-year school because of her unique commitment to the vision of community colleges. While many schools have joined the trend of "mission creep" as they inch closer to university status, Bioteau said she is focused on enhancing SLCC's role as a community college instead of expanding it.

Since taking over as president, Bioteau has particularly stressed the importance of "multiple access points" to education for single parents, older adults and the typical 18-year-old freshman.

"We are here still to provide gateways to learning, literacy and work force training," Bioteau said Monday. "We are staying true to the intent of community colleges. That is who we are, and that is who we will stay."

Bioteau's vision for SLCC also includes increased participation in economic development initiatives. The theme of Monday's inauguration was "connecting the community," a goal Bioteau hopes to achieve through cooperation with employers to get students into the work force and trained by professionals.

"It is my goal to have any discussions of economic development include a representative of this college around the table," she said.

SLCC is the 13th-largest such school in the nation with 14 locations throughout the valley and nearly 60,000 students each year. It also ranks eighth in the nation for number of degrees awarded annually.

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