GCC negotiating with presidential candidate

IRONWOOD — Gogebic Community College officials are in contract negotiations with Stacy Young, of Goshen, Ind., with hopes she'll become the next president of the college.

“Dr. Young is a forward thinking and entrepreneurial leader. She is approachable and collaborative and has demonstrated success in enrollment growth and fundraising as well as serving as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission,” said John Lupino, GCC board chairman. “She is an enthusiastic leader and we look forward to her arrival on campus."

Young holds a doctorate in leadership and is a dean at the School of Business and School of Advanced Technology at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac. She previously served as dean at that school's Niles Campus, also in Dowagiac. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration at Andrews University in Berrien Springs; a Master of Arts in business administration from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind.; and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind. Most of her research throughout her Ph.D. program focused on community colleges.

Young has worked in both corporate America as an auditor and also with small businesses as an accountant, according to a college press release. “This diverse background enabled her to teach a variety of business and accounting courses throughout her career. Serving students in education for more than 20 years, she has worked in a variety of roles including adjunct faculty, full-time faculty, chairperson, and dean.”

For the past 14 years, she has worked at Southwestern Michigan College — a comprehensive community college serving more than a quarter-million residents of Cass, Berrien and Saint Joseph counties with 2,300 full time students and an additional 500 early college students. She has also been responsible for the college’s only satellite campus.

A peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, Young has done work on assessment at Southwestern Michigan College and serves as vice president of the Michigan Occupational Deans Council.

“In addition to her formal roles, she enjoys speaking publicly, working within the community, and serving others,” said the release. “Dr. Young is dedicated to making sure she stays connected to her faculty and students by continuing to teach almost every year. Her hobbies include running and spending time with her family.”

Young was selected from a field of more than 40 applications that was narrowed initially to 10 by a broad-based Presidential Search Committee, comprised of board members, faculty, staff, foundation, a student and members of the public. Of the 10 interviewed, four were selected as finalists. The finalists visited GCC last week for a series of open forums with the public and concluding with an interview with the full Board of Trustees. Attendees were asked to provide input using a feedback form.