It is bittersweet to say farewell to all of the wonderful people I have come to know and work with during the last 3 ½ years as President of Montcalm Community College. You have all welcomed me and my family into this community and treated us as one of your own. We will be forever grateful for your friendships.

As many of you know, I recently was named president at Manchester University in Manchester, Indiana. My last day at MCC was June 30, and I am now officially settling into my new office at Manchester University.

It has been one of my greatest pleasures serving Montcalm Community College for the past 3 ½ years as the institution’s sixth president. Even as I write this, I am sad to leave MCC. The people, students, our board, the Foundation, the community, and so many others have blessed our lives in countless ways. I know things have not always been easy, and we have faced a lot of challenges and changes, but I know MCC is in a stronger position than it has ever been, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

I gathered a list of things I am most proud of that our entire team accomplished together at MCC. I am appreciative of the hard work and support from all of our stakeholders. It’s because of all of you that MCC is fulfilling its mission everyday of “Transforming Lives Through Quality Education.”

• Within one year, we grew enrollment resulting in movement from the bottom to the top of the list of 28 community colleges in Michigan, and subsequently increased enrollment for two consecutive years.

• Developed a new collegewide strategic plan as well as a strategic enrollment and marketing plan.  

• Created the MCC Express Conductor college student retention program, resulting in a 24 to 30 percent increase in student retention within one semester.  

• Guided the college through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the return of students to the classroom within one semester, while offering alternative learning modalities.  

• Doubled our recruiting staff.  

• Guided the redesign of the college scholarship process to better match student needs. 

• Received the Spirit of Collaboration Award and refurbishing award from the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. 

• Increased community engagement. 

• Maintained active memberships with the Michigan Community College Association.  

• Created plans for work on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

• Implemented the “Transforming Lives, Empowering People” fundraising campaign. 

• Created a one-stop shop for student services and improved use of college resources. 

• Commissioned an economic impact study for the college to demonstrate college influence in the region.  

• Utilized funds from enrollment growth to renovate college spaces including the Woodside Café, the hallway in the Beatrice E. Doser Building, the gym floor, and the upper level of Donald C. Burns Administration/Library Building.

• Maintained strong relationships with seven area K-12 superintendents.

• Managed the return of athletics to college after more than 40 years.  

• Achieved 10,000 hours of community service collegewide.  

• Oversaw the $5 million renovation of the Kenneth J. Smith Building.  

• Established and maintained weekly communication to college stakeholders.  

• Established presidential social media presence. 

MCC is in great hands. Connie Stewart, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed by the Board of Trustees to lead the college as interim president for one year, effective July 1.

Connie has 36 years’ experience working in accounting, human resources and high-level executive positions. She joined MCC in 2011 after working at Hitachi Magnetics Corporation for 16 years and eight years at Morbark Industries. She currently leads five divisions of the college: business office, facilities (recreation and athletics), financial aid, human resources and information technology services. She has been a resident of Montcalm County for most of her life. As an MCC alumna, she is committed to the college and to the community.

If you find yourself in northern Indiana, swing by Manchester, I would love to show you around our new home.

My new email is shyoung@manchester.edu and my cell remains the same at 574-596-2781. 

Dr. Stacy H. Young