Jodi Bennett

The Board conducted its organizational session to elect officers for the year, including Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, and made various committee and association appointments. The Board also established its schedule of regular meetings for the upcoming year. During the regular meeting session, the President provided an update on college enrollment, and a presentation regarding a website redesign was delivered. The Trustees reviewed candidates for the Stanley & Blanche Ash Distinguished Service Award, with discussion tabled until the next meeting, and received an update from the Board Policy committee. Additionally, the Board approved the posthumous award of an honorary degree to Karen Carbonelli, named Karen Carbonelli as Trustee Emeritus, and named Connie Stewart as Vice President Emeritus.

The Board reviewed financial reports and the President's report, which included updates on nursing student achievements, capital outlay tours, the Ionia County Guarantee, community support initiatives, and personnel promotions. The Board tabled action on the 2026 Distinguished Service Award and a resolution regarding bank account authorizations due to a lack of quorum. Additionally, the President's Compensation Committee was reappointed.

The joint meeting included a welcome address and a brief update on the college's Strategic Plan provided by the MCC President. Following this, each leader responsible for a Strategic Plan pillar gave a concise update regarding their committee's activities since the plan's implementation. Additionally, the Community Ambassador provided an update on her work.

The special meeting of the Board of Trustees focused on the review of the MCC audit report presented by Mr. Eric Doezema from Rehmann. The report covered the Financial Statements and Supplementary Information for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, and 2024. The Board unanimously approved the audit report as presented.

The meeting included a review of financial reports, which were approved as presented. The Board requested a special meeting be set for the week of December 15, 2025, to receive the audit report. Key discussions included the President's report covering updates on an alumna, a governance institute attendance, Spring 2026 enrollment, and planned financial assistance for out-of-district students via the MCC Foundation. The Trustees assigned a committee to consider next steps for BOT policy review. The Board decided to move forward with a $500,000 key person life insurance policy for the MCC President. Other topics included succession planning and a five-year financial forecast. Resolutions were unanimously approved naming Melissa McQueen as the 2025 Alden Perkins Dedicated Service Award recipient and Tracy Zamarron as the 2025 Leadership Award recipient. Finally, the Board authorized membership in the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool (WMHIP) for a minimum three-year period and approved the replacement of one Trustee representative with another for the pool membership.