President's Biographical Information
Dale K. Nesbary, Ph.D., serves as the 10th President of Muskegon Community College. A Muskegon area native, he assumed office with over 30 years of leadership and professional experience, including nearly two decades at institutions of higher learning. His emphasis as president is to share the story of MCC with the broader community while advancing the College’s mission to meet evolving individual, community, and global educational needs. As he completes his third year as President, the college has achieved a number of significant accomplishments, including:
- New academic and technical programs including instrumental music, alternative/renewable energy, autism teacher training and new media programming;
- Newly created articulation agreements and joint programs with four year partners;
- New athletic programs, including men’s and women’s cross country, bowling, and soccer;
- Fortified strategic relationships with many school districts, universities, business, and civic organizations;
- Full 10 year reaccreditation of MCC by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools;
- Selection of MCC as an Achieving the Dream college, a competitive, multi-year national initiative to help increase student success;
- Continued record enrollments and growth;
- Completion of institutional Strategic and Master Plans.
Dr. Nesbary has served in leadership roles with Adrian College, Oakland University, and as an American Council on Education Fellow. Additionally, he served as Research Director and Technical Services Director with the Boston Police Department, and held the positions of Assistant Budget Director and Director of Contract Management with the City of Boston. He also held administrative appointments with the National Conference of State Legislatures, and with the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency.
He has published books and papers primarily in the areas of finance, technology and policing. His work appears in many journals including The Journal of Public Affairs Education, The Journal of Contemporary Criminology, Social Science Computer Review, The British Journal of Educational Technology, The International Journal of MS Care, and State Legislatures.
Dr. Nesbary completed his Ph.D. in Law, Policy and Society at Northeastern University in Boston. He also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Anthropology from Michigan State University. He is a graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School in Muskegon.
He is active in the community serving on the boards of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the West Michigan Symphony, the Muskegon Promise Zone Authority, the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, and is a member of the Muskegon Rotary Club.
Originally from Twin Lake, Michigan, he currently resides in Muskegon, Michigan with his wife of 32 years, Connie. He is the proud father of two adult children, Nicole and Matthew. His interests include baking bread, making jams, and trombone playing.