Job description

Dowagiac, MI

Posting Number: 20111131-2
Job Category: Staff

Position Summary
The President of the Southwestern Michigan College is the chief executive and administrative office and is responsible to the Board of Trustees. The President will execute all administrative duties in connection with the operation of the College

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Have general responsibility for the operation of the College.
• Make policy recommendations to the Board of College operations.
• Prepare a preliminary draft of the annual budget to submit to the Board of Trustees and recommend necessary budget changes throughout the year.
• Employ, reclassify or dismiss College employees.
• Make recommendations regarding maintenance and improvements in buildings and grounds, including new facilities and equipment as needed.
• Stimulate and direct introduction of new programs and the planning of curriculum and program development.
• Be responsible for development and recommendations of policies pertaining to personnel, including salary schedule.
• Be responsible for public information concerning the administration and student activities of the College.
• Promote the cultural activities and public relations of the College, serving as host on appropriate occasions to individuals or groups, both within and outside the College.
• Consult with faculty and administrative personnel on problems relating to their responsibilities.
• Participate in local, state, regional and national organizations devoted to improvement of education, and especially the community college.
• Be responsible for the formulation and transaction of reports required by the governmental and educational authorities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge Of:

• Budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulation policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

Ability:

• Dexterity of hands to operate a computer keyboard as well as seeing to read and review materials for accuracy.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information with students, staff and public.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree with at least 5 years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree strongly preferred.

Other Information:
Southwestern Michigan College Overview
Desired Characteristics and Traits of the President

• Engaging, visionary, transparent, and entrepreneurial leadership that is focused on the mission and student success
• Collaborative and willing to listen and learn from College stakeholders
• Visible and accessible leadership style
• Proactive leadership mindset
• Effective communication, organization, and presentation skills
• Ability to attract and retain talent and to motivate others to achieve
• Ability to inspire creativity and innovation among the College community
• Financial acumen that includes growth strategy, budgetary oversight, fiscal planning, and revenue generation
• Willingness to be highly visible on campus and maintain an interactive relationship with employees and students
• Commitment to community relations, community-mindedness and involvement, and willingness to maintain a strong public presence at campus events and limited community events
• Proven track record of advocacy and support for technical/career education and academic programs
• Ability to adapt to the changing landscape of higher education as well as drive innovation
• Understanding and appreciation for rural communities

Our MissionFrom its inception in 1964, the mission of Southwestern Michigan College has focused on college access and “Knowledge For All”. SMC serves the community by providing affordable, local access to high-quality post-secondary career preparation and college education – including the total college-life experience. This mission reflects the strengths of SMC: student course success, transfer success, and student engagement through residential housing, student life, and co-curricular activities including great performing arts, abundant student groups and championship athletics.

Our InstitutionSouthwestern Michigan College attracts students not only from its taxing district and the seven contiguous counties, but from throughout Michigan and the Midwest. The College has had tremendous success with great leadership and the pursuit of long-term strategies of the College mission. The College has enjoyed robust enrollment growth for the past four years and head count again exceeds 2,000 students despite regional and statewide declines in high school graduations. Demand for on-campus, apartment-style housing has warranted an expansion of the residence halls to a capacity of 426 beds for Fall 2025. SMC has the most student beds among its peers and second-most housing of all Michigan community colleges. The Charles O. Zollar Building is the hub for student activities, with video and table games, a well-equipped fitness center, a rock-climbing wall, the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse for court sports and a Starbucks caf.

The College prides itself in competing with 4-year institutions for high school graduates as well as recruiting adult learners.

Southwestern Michigan College is known for robust student life, including a championship-level intercollegiate athletic presence with nine teams competing in the NJCAA and first-class band, choir and performing arts programs. Club sports include bass fishing and boxing. Currently, a $4.5 million Zollar Building expansion for wrestling is underway and additional renovation of performing arts facilities is planned for 2026 and beyond. Both projects are being financed with savings in hand and with no additional debt anticipated. The college takes great pride in the condition of its grounds and facilities across two campuses, investing over $60 million in renovation and new construction over the past decade and carrying zero deferred maintenance expense. The college has enjoyed balanced annual budgets for 60 years and its bonds are rated AA/Stable by S&P Global Ratings. SMC enjoys very loyal alumni and taxpayer bases; administrators and trustees are truly grateful for the tax dollars received from its district and donors.

Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is recognized as an institutional accreditor by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

The College grants associate degrees and certificates in over 40 different courses of study via in-seat, hybrid and online formats. Many of our students successfully transfer to four-year universities through a wide range of articulation agreements with Andrews University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, and Western Michigan University, among others. SMC also offers immediate workforce training in the fields of healthcare, education, welding, automotive technology, robotics, and construction trades.

The Southwestern Michigan College Foundation, a charitable 4013 organization, provides funding to the College for scholarships and other projects. The asset value of the Foundation is approximately $16 million. The Foundation will provide approximately $590,000 in scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. The College President works closely with Foundation leadership to continue to develop relationships with donors and alumni.

Our LocationSouthwestern Michigan College is the only institution of higher learning in our district, which includes Cass County plus Hamilton and Keeler Townships in Van Buren County. It is a beautiful rural, agricultural area that features an array of orchards, vineyards, and vegetable farms all located within easy commutes to several cities. Southwest Michigan is blessed with many inland lakes and streams that make it a vacation destination. The district is contiguous to Indiana abutting the Granger-Mishawaka-South Bend region. SMC’s main campus is located on 240 scenic wooded acres near the City of Dowagiac. Nearby Interstate 94 provides access to Kalamazoo to the northeast, to the shoreline beaches of Lake Michigan just 20 miles to the west, and to Chicago approximately 90 minutes away. SMC also has a smaller satellite campus near Niles, Michigan, about 15 miles from the main campus.

Cass County has a cost of living index 11% more affordable than the national average (per Market One) and median housing sales price of $263,750 (per Rocket Homes). The College President will enjoy a robust area of affordable and varying housing options, shopping and dining, recreational and entertainment activities, and school district choices.
Salary InformationBase salary range of $200,000 – $220,000.

Other compensation typically includes housing allowance, auto allowance, community engagement allowance, deferred compensation, and as with other College employees, the choice between MPSERS (the state public employees retirement program) or the SMC Optional Retirement Program, which has an employee contribution of 4% and an SMC contribution of 14% with immediate full vesting.

Residency InformationWithin a reasonable time of appointment, the President must reside within 20 miles of the College district boundary (district includes Cass County, plus Hamilton and Keeler Townships, Van Buren County, Michigan), which includes cities of Dowagiac, Kalamazoo, Niles, Portage, South Haven, Sturgis, St. Joseph, Three Rivers, etc. and including in Indiana of Elkhart, Granger, Mishawaka, and South Bend, etc.

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