October 2, 2025

I am pleased to share that the Board of Trustees has selected Elissa Tenny to serve as Interim President of Bennington College. Elissa will assume the role at the end of January 2026 and serve through August 2026, by which time we expect to conclude the national search for Bennington’s next president. 

Elissa is President Emerita of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where she served as that institution’s 15th president. She was the first woman to hold the post. During her tenure, SAIC completed its first-ever major fundraising campaign at 110% of the goal and advanced initiatives that expanded student scholarships, strengthened wellness programs, and expanded the Institute’s paid career-building experiences.

Elissa’s name will already be familiar to many of you. Her connections to Bennington are deep and enduring. From 2002 to 2010, she served here as Dean and Provost, helping further advance the college’s work in interdisciplinary teaching, academic planning, and faculty development.

In accepting this interim appointment, Elissa merges the steady leadership of a seasoned president with a clear understanding of Bennington’s values and aspirations. She will partner closely with trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to maintain momentum on core academic and student-experience priorities while the search for President Walker’s full-time successor remains ongoing.

We are grateful to Elissa for answering the call to serve and to shepherd Bennington through this transition. With her vast experience, demonstrated history of improving areas of strength at the College, and love of Bennington, I’m confident she will do so successfully. 

I want to also thank President Laura Walker for her visionary leadership, her deep commitment to Bennington, and for continuing to support the College as a strategic advisor. Her ongoing counsel will help ensure a smooth handoff and continuity on key new initiatives now underway.

On behalf of the Board, thank you for your continued commitment to Bennington during this important moment. I look forward to sharing further updates on the presidential search in the months ahead.

Thank you,

Nick Stephens ’77
Chair, Board of Trustees