New Deans and Associate Deans Join Grays Harbor College

This fall, two new deans joined Grays Harbor College, Dr. Aaron Coby, Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Extended Learning, and Cathy LeCompte, Dean of Workforce Education. In addition to Dr. Coby and LeCompte, GHC welcomed CJ Berndt as the Associate Dean of Stafford Creek Corrections Center, replacing Jayme Peterson who retired last summer after nearly 20 years of service. Heidi Wood was named Associate Dean of Transitions after serving GHC’s Adult Basic Education programs for nearly two decades, joining seasoned Associate Dean of Nursing, Carol O’Neal.  

Dr. Coby comes to GHC after 17 years as a faculty member and administrator at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA, where he was the Associate Dean for the College of Arts & Sciences for seven years before serving as the Dean for the last three years.  

While his academic training is centered on Environmental Microbiology, Dr. Coby has spent the last several years focusing on pedagogical research that incorporates engaged and metacognitive learning in the classroom. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Saint Xavier University, a Master of Public Affairs and Master of Science in Environmental Science from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Indiana University.  

Dr. Coby spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador before earning his Ph.D. He then spent two years at the University of Wisconsin conducting research in the Geology Department (Geomicrobiology) before he and his family headed west to Washington state. Originally from Illinois, Dr. Coby loves the Pacific Northwest (rain and all). He and his spouse get out as often as they can, enjoying all the benefits of hiking, biking, beaches, mountains, and microbreweries that the region has to offer.   

A GHC alum, LeCompte is excited to return to the area after spending two decades as a workforce education leader in Alaska’s higher education community. Prior to joining GHC, LeCompte worked for the State of Alaska’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development, serving as the Director for the Alaska Vocational Technical Center in Seward, AK.    

LeCompte’s experience also includes serving as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Community and Technical College, as well as Campus Director at the University Alaska Southeast Ketchikan Campus. She started her career in higher education as a faculty member teaching online courses in the Business Administration program and continued to teach as an Adjunct Professor for many years in the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Alaska Southeast.   

After receiving an Associate of Arts in General Studies and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management from Grays Harbor College, LeCompte earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from City University. She holds an Executive Master’s degree in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University, an applied Master’s degree she received during her time as the Executive Director of the United Way of Grays Harbor.  

LeCompte was born and raised in Aberdeen and after her Alaskan adventure is excited to return home to friends and family on the Harbor, and to the beaches of the Washington Coast where she can get out and dig razor clams and enjoy the forest.  

"We are incredibly fortunate to have these outstanding leaders on our team!” said GHC President Dr. Carli Schiffner. “Dr. Aaron Coby brings expertise in environmental science and innovative teaching, along with a wealth of experience in academic leadership from his progressive leadership roles at Saint Martin’s University. At the same time, we are proud to welcome back Cathy LeCompte, whose leadership in workforce education and connection to our college as an alum will greatly enhance our ability to prepare students for real-world challenges. I am confident that our deans and associate deans will help drive GHC forward in exciting new directions."