News Summary
The Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees met to celebrate year-end accomplishments and initiate the search for a new college president. Key updates included the awarding of the GRCC Championship Award to former Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and recognition of Sophia Brewer for her work in diversity and inclusion. The board selected Academic Search to assist in the presidential search process. Provost Sheila Jones reported positive trends in student enrollment, and financial considerations were discussed amidst upcoming state funding reductions. The board will reconvene to continue these discussions.
Grand Rapids, MI – The Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Board of Trustees convened on May 19 for a significant meeting to discuss year-end achievements and begin the search for a new president. Interim President Dr. Steven Triezenberg was absent, with Provost Sheila Jones stepping in to present key updates.
During the meeting, Erin Van Egmond presented the GRCC Championship Award to former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. Bliss was honored for her exemplary service and positive impact on the community, marking her contributions during her tenure. The award was especially noteworthy as Bliss could not attend the previous month’s commencement ceremony. Looking ahead, she expressed interest in continuing her collaboration with GRCC in her new role at Michigan State University.
Further recognition during the meeting included Sophia Brewer, an associate professor at GRCC, who received the title of Michigan ACE Distinguished Woman in Higher Education. This award acknowledged her tireless work on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the college, highlighting the importance of these values in educational environments.
In terms of administrative changes, Board trustee Salvador Lopez reported that the college received responses to its Request for Proposals (RFP) for an executive search firm. The board approved the selection of Academic Search, a D.C.-based firm, to aid in the search for the next college president. The decision followed a thorough interview process that assessed 11 to 13 firms, ultimately resulting in four finalists being interviewed. The board unanimously endorsed Academic Search, underscoring a commitment to a rigorous selection process and establishing a clear timeline for the presidential search.
Chairperson Brandy Lovelady Mitchell reiterated the board’s dedication to ensuring multiple viewpoints were considered in the interview process while expressing the necessity of a definitive schedule from the chosen firm.
The board also addressed pending administrative tasks, tabling the approval of minutes from meetings held on March 17 and May 5, with a consensus reached to reconvene these discussions in June.
In her report, Provost Sheila Jones highlighted positive trends in student enrollment, which exceeded 101.42% of the institution’s stretch goal for the summer term, showcasing a steady increase compared to the figures from the previous four years. This near-record enrollment illustrates GRCC’s ongoing engagement with its student body and the effectiveness of its outreach efforts.
Moreover, GRCC’s partnership with Kent ISD in adult education garnered recognition as the 2025 Michigan Adult Education Program Partnership of the Year. This accolade reflects the college’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and supporting adult learners.
Controller Todd Hurley provided a critical financial overview, indicating that the upcoming fiscal year would see a reduction of $320 million in state funding due to various factors, including tax cut eligibility and weaknesses in tax collections. This financial outlook may have implications for college budgeting and resource allocation in the coming years.
In organizational updates, the newly elected student government president, Eldin Causevic, introduced himself and his executive board during the meeting. They aimed to enhance student involvement and overall experiences at GRCC, indicating a focus on making the college environment more engaging and participative for students.
The GRCC Board of Trustees will continue its work and reconvene on June 9 at 4:15 p.m. in the board library, where further developments—including the ongoing presidential search and other board matters—are expected to be addressed.
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Additional Resources
- The Collegiate Live: GRCC Selects Presidential Search Firm
- MLive: GRCC Appoints New Interim President
- Cap Times: Madison College President Candidate on Leave
- Wood TV: GRCC President Resigns After Leave
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Community College President Search
