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College Governance

Mid Michigan College is one of 28 public two-year colleges chartered by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Constitution and the Community College Act of 1966, as amended.

The College was established in 1965 by community leaders in Clare and Gladwin counties. Shortly thereafter, Mid began serving students in Isabella County. Today, the College serves students throughout and beyond our state. Our campus community includes two primary locations – the original campus in Harrison, Michigan and our campus in Mt. Pleasant. Courses are offered in numerous locations and online.

This describes how our campus is organized to fulfill our Mission. The structure outlined in the following pages is based on the following beliefs:

  • Our college community is strengthened by the involvement of all members. We are wiser collectively than we are individually.
  • We believe all members of our community have a fundamental right to an advanced education—we welcome all learners.
  • We are mission-centered and goal-focused. Our work together is action-oriented.
  • We are organized through a representative system that requires its members to effectively communicate with each other and with constituents.
  • As members of a college community, our interactions demonstrate collegiality and mutual respect. Communication is open and honest with respect for all voices, including those who dissent and those who prevail.
  • The actions of governance groups such as committees, departments, and councils is decision-driven. Responsibilities and recommendations are to be fulfilled in a timely way to promote effective institutional planning.
  • As leaders in our community, we seek to identify and respond to both emerging and existing needs. We are proactive and responsive.
  • In service to our students and our communities, we seek continuous quality improvement in all activities. Decisions are evidence-based, data-informed, and rooted in best practices.
  • We operate through processes that are transparent and consistently fair to all concerned.
  • We recognize that Mid is a dynamic organization. Each day brings new opportunities and challenges. While we are committed to doing what is best for our students and communities, we also recognize that there will always be room for improvement in our interactions with each other.
College Mission

We develop knowledge and ability to empower learners and transform communities.

Enduring Goals
  1. Encouraging Student Success
  2. Engaging the Community
  3. Enhancing Employee Impact
  4. Ensuring Institutional Effectiveness


Learn more about our Mission & Core Values!

Our Governance Structure

Entity Description
Board of Trustees

Mid Michigan College is governed by a Board of Trustees elected by citizens who reside in one of the public school districts of Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison or Mt. Pleasant. The Board of Trustees establishes those broad policies appropriate to the functioning of the College. The Board derives its authority from the community and therefore must act on behalf of – and be accountable to – the entire community. The Board of Trustees forms a vital link between the College and the community, facilitating communication on behalf of the College’s interests.

The power to make policy resides in corporate action at Board meetings. One of the primary responsibilities of the Board of Trustees is the appointment of the President.

President

The President administers the affairs of the College in accordance with the policies set by the Board, the rules and regulations of the federal government and the State of Michigan. The President also develops administrative principles and procedures for implementing Board decisions aligned to the College’s mission and goals.

The President may delegate responsibilities to staff, using good management practices and ensuring appropriate oversight. The President, together with the members of council they designate, formulate policy to regulate college-wide practices and operations that are delegated by the Board of Trustees or that would traditionally be viewed as management functions. Such policies and practices are approved by the President.

In addition to advisory councils, the President convenes standing and/or ad hoc committees as needed to effectively conduct the business of the College. Such groups do not supersede the responsibilities of faculty, administrators, and staff in the performance of their assigned roles. Further, consultation with subject-matter-experts on the campus is encouraged throughout the governance system.

The College Council

The College Council is comprised of campus leaders who both lead and represent constituents from across Mid. The Council’s function is to assist the President in planning for the future of the College, to work collectively toward the achievement of the College’s enduring strategic goals, to advise the President on matters of administrative policy and practice, and to ensure institutional effectiveness in all of the College’s endeavors.

The President chairs the College Council and determines its schedule and agenda. Members of the Council are representatives of various constituent groups on campus. To that end, members relay any concerns of their constituents to the Council and explain the decisions of the Council to their constituents.

The College Council focuses on over-arching strategy and policy recommendations for Mid. It relies on the work of various committees to recommend and implement operational decisions. The Council may designate sub-committees, task forces, or work groups to tackle and/or monitor specific initiatives. Given its focus on broad planning issues, the Council will generally meet on a monthly basis to enable communication and collaboration with other groups on a more frequent basis.

Other Committees and Councils

The College’s advisory councils and committees are organized to specifically address each of the College's four enduring goals. A standing charge guides the work of each group from year to year with specific tasks and priorities identified on an annual basis. To ensure representation from across the campus, the composition of each committee is determined in advance although all committees have the ability to solicit input from particular individuals or from the campus community as a whole.

 
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