August 27, 2025

Grand Rapids Community College Seeks New President

News Summary

Grand Rapids Community College is in search of a new president following the resignation of Charles Lepper. Lisa Freiburger has been appointed interim president, while the GRCC Board of Trustees has engaged Academic Search for the presidential search. Community engagement sessions are planned for feedback on the presidential profile. The board aims to announce a permanent president by December, with the successful candidate starting their term early next year.

Grand Rapids, MI – Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is searching for a new president following the abrupt resignation of Charles Lepper on April 14, who left his position after being placed on paid administrative leave. The resignation was accepted by the GRCC Board of Trustees and took effect immediately, although the board has not provided specific reasons for his departure.

In the interim, Lisa Freiburger, who previously served as vice president for finance and administration, stepped into the role of interim president until her retirement at the end of May. Following Freiburger’s departure, Steven J. Triezenberg has been appointed as the new interim president.

To facilitate the presidential search, the GRCC Board of Trustees selected Academic Search, a firm from Washington, D.C., on May 19. This firm specializes in enhancing leadership in higher education institutions and is distinct from the previous firm used in 2022, Gold Hill Associates. The board opted for Academic Search after discussions indicated a preference for a new approach, particularly focusing on identifying candidates who may not be actively seeking to advance their careers.

The search process will include community engagement through listening sessions scheduled for August 11 and 14, allowing stakeholders to provide input for creating a presidential profile. Additionally, an internal session will take place on August 28, and there will be further surveys distributed for feedback.

Promotional efforts for the presidential position are expected to begin by the end of September, with an application deadline set for mid-October. The timeline indicates that the board aims to have a permanent replacement in place by December, with the new president expected to assume office in early 2026.

The structure of the search includes a screening committee announced on July 15, comprising 17 members from various stakeholder groups. The committee is co-chaired by Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, the Board Chair, and Mary Lucas, a faculty member from the Language and Thought department. A five-member liaison committee will supervise the search process, also chaired by Lovelady Mitchell. All committee members are required to maintain confidentiality throughout the selection process, adhering to a strict code of conduct.

The total cost for employing Academic Search is approximately $60,000, which is higher than what was paid to Gold Hill Associates for the previous search. The board intends to finalize the presidential search profile by September, leading to a series of on-campus interviews for finalists in December. An announcement regarding the new president is anticipated in December, with the selected individual beginning their term early in the following year.

GRCC, established 111 years ago as Michigan’s first community college, emphasizes this leadership opportunity as pivotal for the institution’s future. The college plans to provide a comprehensive timeline of the presidential search actions while offering ongoing updates throughout the process.