Kirtland Faculty Set to Join Michigan Community College Leaders for Seventh Leadership Academy

GRAYLING, Michigan (September 19, 2023) — Kirtland Community College’s Dean of Liberal Arts, John Thiel and Dean of Occupation Trades, Barb Walden will be joining 38 other Community College leaders for the seventh cohort Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) Leadership Academy.

“We are excited about the opportunity to meet with other community college leaders and explore emerging trends in higher education,” said Thiel. “The knowledge and insights acquired from this leadership academy will significantly benefit Kirtland and position us amongst fellow state community colleges as a premier choice for higher education.”

Walden and Thiel were nominated for the position in the academy by President Dr. Thomas Quinn. The Leadership academy consists of a nine-month program that spans over six live sessions with action-based learning projects in between, experiential learning activities, coaching and mentoring, and a capstone graduation experience at the annual MCCA Student Success Summit. As stated in a press release from MCCA, Michigan will be one of three states to receive grant funding to build leadership capacity at community colleges. The other two states are New York and Texas.

“Providing our college staff with leadership training will ensure they have the skills to help our students succeed now and into the future,” said Erica Orians, Vice President at the MCCA. “We are extremely proud of the Leadership Academy and are appreciate the support from our funders to host this program.”

Kirtland’s two faculty members will be joined by 38 other fellow community college leaders from 24 community colleges. The project is made possible by generous donations and funding from educational foundations aiming to strengthen the pipeline of leaders inside community colleges.

The additional Leadership Academy members include:

• Shannon Anderson- Financial Aid Counselor at Gogebic Community College
• Chris Barry- Dean of Student Services at West Shore Community College
• Jodie Beckley- Director of Personal and Professional Learning at Schoolcraft College
• Scott Behrens- Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Monroe County Community College
• Lisa Brooker- Director of Financial Aid at Schoolcraft College
• Bentrelle Carroll- Director of Compliance at Lansing Community College
• Marianne Croze- Associate Dean of Health & Human Services at Lansing Community College
• Scott Cubberly- Director of Eastern Academic Center & Business & Industry Partnerships at Kellogg Community College
• Renee David- Director of Corporate Services & Lifelong Learning at Mott Community College
• Lindsey Dickinson- Director of Advising at Northwestern Michigan College
• Jennifer Dodson- Chief Financial Officer and Controller at Glen Oaks Community College
• Jessica Esperanza- Associate Professor of Spanish, Study Abroad Coordinator, International Institute Co-coordinator & World Languages and Cultures Department Chair at Mott Community College
• Shannon Fischer- Assistant Comptroller at Jackson College
• Jon Foco- Director of Business Services at Delta College
• Anna Fontaine- Education & Student Development Faculty at Kalamazoo Valley Community College
• Sheryl Hammock- Dean of Occupational Education at Bay Mills Community College
• Anna Hansard- Director of Web Services at Oakland Community College
• Jamillya Hardley- Assistant Director of Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Grand Rapids Community College
• Sara Hermann- Controller at Kalamazoo Valley Community College
• Nicole Hutchings- Director of Personnel Services at Macomb Community College
• Ken James- Chief Diversity Officer at Muskegon Community College
• Kari Klemme- Marketing Strategist at Gogebic Community College
• Taylor Male- Director of Facilities at Montcalm Community College
• Katie Malone- Director of Financial Aid at North Central Michigan College
• Lynn Martinson- Director of Business Office at Bay College
• LaToya Mason- Dean of Health Sciences at Lake Michigan College
• Carly McCall- Director of Alumni Engagement at Northwestern Michigan College
• Kristen McDermott- Director of Student Life at Kellogg Community College
• Andrew McQueen- Campus Provost at Wayne County Community College
• Clevester Moten- Business Instructor & Program Head of Public Administration and Management at Jackson College
• Sarah Rowley- Director of Purchasing & Auxiliary Services at Oakland Community College
• Jennifer Scott- Director of Student Financial Services at Grand Rapids Community College
• Erwin Sellmos- Professor of Sociology at West Shore Community College
• Erin Sonneveldt- Director of Institutional Research and Assessment at North Central Michigan College
• Dawn Stone- Dean of Workforce Development at Alpena Community College
• Ashley Storal- District Dean of Educational Affairs at Wayne County Community College
• Kristin Tank- Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Muskegon Community College
• Michael Williams- Director of Financial Aid at Macomb Community College

To view the official press release pertaining the Leadership Academy from MCCA or for more information on the MCCA, visit https://www.mcca.org/news_details.cfm?rowID=5DC1592A68068A94EB2D6418D7EC409A