Dr, Stacy Young is a prime example of why the old saying, “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again,” rings true and why diligence pays off. Young, who was a finalist this fall for the role of President at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, was turned aside in favor of Joseph Odenwald. Rather than simply fade into the woodwork, she pursued her dream to be President and has landed the top job at Montcalm Community College northeast of Grand Rapids, instead.
The college recently announced, “Stacy Young, Ph.D., signed a contract with Montcalm Community College on November 26, officially accepting the position of the college’s sixth president.”
She has been Dean of the School of Business and School of Advanced Technology at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, and was one of four finalists to replace the retiring Dr. David Mathews at the end of the year. She has been with SMC dating back to 2005, and once served as Dean of the Niles Campus.
Young’s new contract begins on January 1, 2020, and runs through June 30, 2022, in a rolling three-year agreement that is designed to be extended on July 1st of each year for one additional year if approved by board action.
Montcalm Community College will pay Dr. Young an annual salary of $150,000, as well as an $800 per month vehicle allowance, 24 paid vacation days, a $10,000 reimbursement for moving expense if she moves within the MCC district by April 1, 2020, and fringe benefits.
She will replace Montcalm President Robert C. Ferrentino, J.D., who retires on December 31st. He has served as the college’s top leader for 10 years.
Montcalm’s presidential search committee considered a pool of 53 applicants with the assistance of consultant Dr. Preston Pulliams, Ed.D., President of Gold Hill Associates. The committee was led by MCC Board of Trustees Treasurer Roger Thelen, of Stanton. In addition Chair Karen Carbonelli, of Gowen, and Vice Chair Bob Marston, of Sheridan, served on the committee, along with a variety of individuals from the community who represented various interests.
Young accepted the offer in mid-November following a 4 to 3 board vote to offer her the job. She will oversee the three campus college which currently serves 1,600 students across those three facilities.
