Janelle C. Ashley, the first woman president of Worcester State University, plans to retire next year.
Ashley has been president of Worcester State since 2002. In a statement, Ashley said she guaranteed Worcester State five years of service when she accepted the president’s position.
Her retirement will be effective June 30 of next year.
She said she and her husband plan to move to Texas, where she served as vice president for academic affairs at Stephen S. Austin State University prior to becoming president of Worcester State.
During Ashley’s tenure, the Worcester State campus has undergone a wide-ranging capital improvement effort, including renovations and green-energy installations.
Ashley has served on the boards of a number of local organizations, including the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau and the Worcester Public Library Foundation.
