After a national search and an intensive interview process, Mid Michigan College welcomed Tim Hood as its seventh president in July of 2020.
Tim previously served as the President of Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. He came to Highland as Vice President of Academics and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) in 2011, was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2014, and became president in 2015.
Prior to serving at Highland, Tim was the Vice President of Instruction/CAO at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois, after being promoted from Dean of Corporate Training and Community Education. As CAO, he was elected President of the Illinois Community College Chief Academic Officers organization, representing all 48 community colleges in the state.
Tim’s career in higher education began as a faculty member and workforce development trainer. In these capacities, he served for nine years at Madisonville Community College in Kentucky before accepting a faculty position at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) for four years.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communication with a public relations specialization from SIUC and a Master of Science in organizational communication, also from SIUC. He is now finishing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in organizational communication.
“I am so honored and excited regarding the opportunity to serve as the next president of Mid Michigan College,” said Hood. “Mid’s legacy as a premier college, the excellence of those who serve there, and the beauty of the region have collectively piqued my enthusiasm to live and work there.”
Having always been strongly connected with community partners, Tim served on the Workforce Connection Board (WIOA), the Northwest Illinois Economic Development Board, the Greater Freeport Partnership Board, and the Region 1 Planning Council. He was also a member of the Executive Committee for the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents.
The parents of five daughters and grandparents of three children, Tim and his wife, Val, are proud that each of their daughters has earned a community college degree before transferring to a university. All family and extended family members enjoy outdoor activities and prefer to live in and contribute to the livelihood of rural communities.
Tim began his tenure at Mid Michigan College under extraordinary circumstances, as the College strengthened its safety and preparedness measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, Mid defined itself not by the external challenges it faced, but by its responsiveness and resolve to offer extraordinary, affordable educational opportunities to students across the State. The College's good work and its students' achievements draw on its legacy spanning more than sixty years as an essential community partner. As Mid's president, Tim's work continues to ensure that the College advances into the future with the same commitment to excellence.
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Friends,
After a deeply fulfilling and rewarding journey, and with a full heart, I have made the difficult decision to retire as President of Mid Michigan College, effective June 30, 2026, as my second three-year term sunsets. This was not an easy choice. Mid has become my home and a community that I deeply care about. I submitted a letter of intent to retire from Mid to the Board of Trustees on Monday, and they unanimously accepted my letter with congratulations.
Serving as the President at Mid has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Every day, I was inspired by the dedication, creativity, and heart of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the unwavering support of our alumni, donors, and community partners. Together, we have accomplished so much—strengthening academic programs, expanding student support, growing workforce pathways, and building meaningful partnerships across our region.
The passion and commitment I see across this College fill me with hope for a bright future and gratitude for a wonderful journey. Mid truly is a special place, and the people here are what make it so.
As I look ahead to my next chapter, I’m very much looking forward to spending more time with my family and embracing new opportunities for rest, reflection, and service. At the same time, I have great confidence in our talented teams, who will lead Mid forward with care and purpose.
I will continue to serve as president through June 30, 2026, working closely with the Board of Trustees as they ensure a smooth transition to your next president. My retirement will complete a rewarding tenure of eleven consecutive years as president of two vibrant and progressive community colleges.
Thank you for the trust, the support, and the privilege of leading this remarkable institution. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime.
With much gratitude and respect,
Tim Hood
From upgrading hands-on learning labs to creating spaces that showcase student accomplishments and foster a sense of belonging, your support creates opportunities, transforms lives, and strengthens our communities for generations to come. Join us and invest in our students, because when we all give what we can, we can create something big!