Message from the Board of Trustees
The Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Board of Trustees has commenced a national search for the College’s 12th president.
The Board invites applications and nominations for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the next president of this exemplary institution. This is a pivotal opportunity to champion an 111-year old educational institution and the first community college established within the state of Michigan.
The web pages dedicated to the presidential search process will serve as the central source for updates and information. Here you will find information related to the presidential profile, timeline, screening committee and more.
The GRCC Board of Trustees will seek input on the Presidential Profile that will be used in the recruitment process. Additionally, when finalists are selected, on-campus forums will be held for both the internal and external campus community.
The Board is committed to a transparent and inclusive process that reflects the values of our college and community.
We look forward to working together as we embark on the journey to identify the next president of GRCC.
- The GRCC Board of Trustees
Sections
- Search Firm
- Search Process Timeline
- Screening Committee
- Liaison Committee
- Frequently Asked Questions
- News and Updates
Search Firm
The GRCC Board of Trustees has retained Academic Search — a mission-driven organization dedicated to expanding leadership capacity at higher education institutions through executive search services.
Representatives of Academic Search will conduct an extensive national search and:
- Work with the GRCC Board of Trustees and GRCC Screening Committee through the search process.
- Work with the GRCC Board of Trustees to identify basic responsibilities, reporting relationships, desirable experience and professional characteristics required of candidates.
- Develop the strategy for identifying qualified and diverse candidates.
- Provide information to the GRCC Board of Trustees and GRCC Screening Committee regarding potential candidates.
- Assist in the transition of the successful candidate to GRCC.
Academic Search Consultants:
- Dr. Shirley Robinson Pippins, Senior Consultant
- Andrea Cowsert, Consultant
For questions related to the presidential search, please email presidentialsearch@grcc.edu.
Submit a Nomination
Nominations for applicant consideration can be submitted in confidence to GRCCPresident@academicsearch.org.
Search Process Timeline
Please note: This is an approximate timeline and may change as we work through the process.
- May 2025
- Identify Interim President to fill the position from May 2025 until the new president takes office.
- Begin selection process for an executive search firm. Develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) to be posted for an open bid process.
- Draft Presidential Profile.
- Mid-June 2025
- Finalization of screening committee members.
- July through August 2025
- Academic Search conducts pre-search listening sessions with the campus community. Surveys will also be available as another method to share feedback.
- First organizational meeting with Academic Search and the screening committee.
- September 2025
- Presidential Search profile finalized.
- Academic Search begins promoting the position.
- October 2025
- Application deadline.
- The screening committee reviews applications and interviews lead candidates.
- November 2025
- The Board of Trustees decides on the slate of finalists.
- December 2025
- On-campus finalist interviews.
- The Board of Trustees makes the final selection.
Screening Committee
The Screening Committee will collaborate with our executive search firm Academic Search to review applications and recommend candidates to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
| Constituent | Member | Title/Location/Position |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Chair (BOT) | Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell | Board of Trustees, Chairperson |
| Co-Chair (faculty) | Mary Lucas | Language & Thought, Dept. Head |
| Administration | Jackie Araiza | Manager, Lakeshore Campus |
| Faculty | Sophia Brewer | Library & Learning, Assoc. Professor |
| Board of Trustees | Kathleen Bruinsma | BOT, Vice Chairperson |
| Student | Eldin Causevic | Student Government President |
| Faculty | Megan Coakley | English, Dept. Head |
| APSS (Alliance of Professional Support Staff) | Secundino (Cooper) Garcia | Student Financial Services |
| Administration | Dr. Sheila Jones | Provost |
| Faculty | Mike Light | Social Sciences, Professor |
| Board of Trustees | Salvador Lopez | BOT, Trustee |
| CEBA (College Employees Benefit Association) | Ron Luyk | Facilities, Carpenter |
| CEBA (College Employees Benefit Association) | Dustin Mier | Facilities, Electrician |
| APSS (Alliance of Professional Support Staff) | Terrence Moore | Student Records, Veteran Services |
| Community At Large | Kaylee Moreno Burke | West MI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sr. Director |
| Administration | Jessica Pierce | Non-degree Health Programs Manager/Director |
| POLC (Campus Police) | Tom Stasiak | Police Officer |
Liaison Committee
The Liaison Committee has been established to provide oversight, direction and support throughout the search process. This committee will help coordinate the work of the screening committee, align efforts with the search firm and provide communication to the campus and to the Board of Trustees.
| Constituent | Member | Title/Location/Position |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Chair (BOT) | Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell | Board of Trustees, Chairperson |
| Board of Trustees | Kathleen Bruinsma | BOT, Vice Chairperson |
| Board of Trustees | Micah Perkins | BOT, Trustee |
| Co-Chair (faculty) | Mary Lucas | Language & Thought, Dept. Head |
| Administration | Erin Van Egmond | Vice President, College Advancement and Executive Director, GRCC Foundation |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is confidentiality so important in a search process?
Many candidates will hold key positions at other institutions and will submit an application only if confidentiality is guaranteed. Members of the screening committee have signed an agreement that secures confidentiality for all discussions, documents and deliberations related to the search.
2. What is the role of the screening committee chairs?
The screening committee chairs are the official spokespersons for the screening committee and, thus, the only individuals authorized to speak on behalf of the screening committee and the search process. The chairs will provide regular updates to the campus community and can address any questions or concerns from members of the community through the duration of the search.
5. Will there be regular updates on the search?
Yes, the screening committee chairs will provide regular updates to the campus community at critical points in the search, and these updates will be posted to this website.
6. How can I make a nomination?
Nominations can be submitted in confidence to GRCCPresident@academicsearch.org.
If you are considering nominating someone, please carefully review the qualifications and experiences as outlined in the position profile before submitting a nomination. Your nomination will go directly to the search consultants, who will reach out to the nominee. The search consultants will not provide your name to the nominee, but you are free to do so.
7. Are internal candidates treated any differently from external candidates?
Internal candidates are vetted in the same way as external candidates. All candidates are assessed based on the criteria identified in the position profile.
8. How will members of the campus community participate in the search process?
Many members of the campus community were able to meet with the consultants during the initial listening sessions to shape the presidential profile. The information shared during these conversations is particularly valuable during the recruiting phase of the search process.
After finalist candidates are selected, members of the community will be strongly encouraged to meet with each of them during their visit to campus. In addition to a campus-wide open forum, finalists will meet one-on-one and in small groups with key constituents. A confidential online survey will ensure that feedback is gathered on the finalist candidates. This feedback will be shared with the Board of Trustees as they deliberate on the strengths and concerns of each of the finalist candidates.
9. When will the appointee take office?
The announcement of the new president is expected in December 2025, anticipating that the new president will assume office early in the new year.