Charles Mitchell has worked with Seattle Community Colleges for more than 25 years including periods as President of Seattle Central Community College and Chancellor of the Seattle Community College System.

Mitchell was born in Seattle in 1940 and is the product of the citys education system. He attended T.T. Minor Elementary School, Meany Junior High, and Garfield High School. He also earned a bachelors degree from the University of Washington (UW), a masters degree from Seattle University, and a doctorate in education from Brigham Young University.

During his years at the University of Washington, Mitchell played football with the UW Huskies and was a member of the winning 1961 Rose Bowl team. He was inducted into the Husky Football Hall of Fame in 1992. After graduation from the UW, he played professional football for six years with the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills.

After earning advanced degrees from Seattle University and Brigham Young University, Mitchell worked briefly for the Governor of Colorado and later for King County Executive John Spellman.

In 1987 Mitchell was named President of Seattle Central Community College.  He held the post until 2003.  Under his leadership as President of Seattle Central Mitchell oversaw the expansion of enrollment.  He also encouraged programs and initiatives that brought in more students of color and students of immigrant backgrounds.  His work was recognized by Time magazine which named Seattle Central College of the Year in 2001-2002.  

In 2003 Mitchell was named Chancellor of the Seattle Community Colleges and held the post until 2008.  While there he administered four campus and six specialized training centers with a total enrollment of more than 55,000 students.  After completing five years as leader of Washington State’s largest two-year college district, he was named to lead the Power & Promise multi-year fund-raising campaign for the community college system.

Mitchell has received numerous awards recognizing his educational and community