Southwestern Michigan College continues presidential search

DOWAGIAC — The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees will interview an additional finalist for the institution’s next president. 

The board will interview Dr. Klint Pleasant, of Rochester Hills, on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The decision to expand the search came after the board held public on-campus interviews on Oct. 21 and 22, but determined at a special meeting on Nov. 7 that they needed to consider more prospects. 

“The Board of Trustees expresses our deep thanks to the three candidates who traveled here to spend time and energy with us as we carefully evaluated each,” said Chairman Thomas F. Jerdon. “We greatly appreciate every candidate and their willingness to consider SMC.  While all of the candidates had fine qualities and are CEO-caliber individuals, the Board did not find exactly the right fit for the position and will therefore interview Dr. Pleasant as soon as schedules permit.” 

Jerdon noted that SMC’s mission differs from typical community colleges, as it provides a robust student life program, substantial student housing facilities and competitive NJCAA athletics, making it resemble four-year colleges in many ways.

“Additionally, many of those campuses are found in ‘state-controlled’ systems, as opposed to autonomous schools,” Jerdon added. “While we offer career technical education in several areas and are always evaluating more programs there, SMC provides a robust student life program, substantial student housing facilities, quality performing arts, club sports and very competitive NJCAA athletics. SMC also benefits from a sizable Foundation that provides additional funding and scholarship opportunities for students.”

The new finalist, Dr. Klint Pleasant, currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Special Assistant to the President, as well as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, at Rochester Christian University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Pleasant holds a Doctor of Education from Lipscomb University, and his administrative duties since 2017 have included strategic planning, enrollment, and fundraising.

The public is invited to observe the interview at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center on the Dowagiac campus. Updates on the presidential search can be found at swmich.edu/presidential-search/. 

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