President's Message, Jan. 2010

Hello students, faculty, and staff: I am hopeful that your holiday season was restful, enjoyable and renewing. During my December 2009 message, I shared with you some information on issues facing new students, along with a discussion of our ability to assist these students and support our workforce. In this month’s message, I will outline additional challenges, suggest mechanisms to meet these challenges, continue my request for you all to contribute and, indeed, take the lead in these initiatives.

• To the faculty: Continue your strong work in the classroom. I have had the opportunity to observe, both directly and indirectly, what you do. This includes biology capstone presentations, theatrical productions, choral performances, collaborative efforts by the business faculty, and many more. Your work is the primary vehicle for student retention and successful transfer.

• To the staff: Your ability to advise, counsel, manage, lead, coach, and mentor is excellent. I have observed you at orientation sessions, collaborating with businesses, quietly advising students, helping students with registration and financial aid, supporting students in need of assistance, coaching student athletes, and many other activities. This makes me proud to associate with the name Muskegon Community College.

• To our students: Continue to represent the college with distinction.   I have seen you in the classroom, in multiple performance venues, on courts, fields, courses, and mats. You have done well at internship sites, in the workplace, and on the parade route. Your ability to do this while raising families, working full time, making the transition from high school, or making the transition from one employer to another is commendable. You are the reason that we strive to achieve our best as professionals.