RTC President Dr. Yoshiko Harden will receive the prestigious Pacesetter Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations District 7 (NCMPR), recognizing her leadership in advancing the college, strengthening community partnerships, and championing the role of community and technical colleges.

The Pacesetter Award recognizes a community college president or CEO who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and support for marketing and public relations and has made a significant contribution to the institution and the communities it serves. Harden was selected to represent District 7, which includes colleges in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and Canada.

“My goal has always been to create the college I wanted, a place where students know they belong, see possibilities for their future, and have people in their corner helping them get there,” Harden said. “I’m so honored to be selected as a Pacesetter. This recognition reflects the work of our entire RTC community and the partnerships that make this work possible.”

Harden was appointed president in 2022, the first woman and first person of color to hold the position. Under her leadership, RTC became the first community or technical college in Washington to develop a Strategic Equity Plan. Her leadership created more opportunities for students, including RTC’s first TRIO Student Support Services grant. She championed partnerships with the City of Renton and The Boeing Company to expand Renton Promise, which helps graduates of Renton high schools attend RTC with up to full tuition support.

She has also strengthened RTC’s role as a regional workforce leader. The college secured nearly $1 million in federal funding to expand its Mechatronics program, which led to a campus visit by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.

Harden advocates for community and technical colleges throughout the region. She serves on the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council, the Renton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and chairs the Equity Committee for the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges Board of Presidents.

The award will be presented at the District 7 Conference in Whitefish, Montana, in Oct. A national Pacesetter will be selected from the seven district honorees.