The Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the institution’s balanced budget for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, following a public hearing this week. The adoption comes as the college continues its search for a new president.
The approved \$28.6 million general fund budget, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, includes projected revenues of \$11.7 million from tuition and fees, \$8.1 million from local property taxes based on a 2.365 mill rate, \$8.3 million from state appropriations, and \$500,000 from additional sources.
Board Chair Tom Jerdon praised the administration’s efforts to maintain fiscal responsibility while investing in SMC’s future.
“SMC has always had balanced budgets, and this budget will grow the college with allocations for additional student housing, the Charles O. Zollar Building expansion, and future improvements to the Dale A. Lyons performing arts facilities,” Jerdon said. “All the credit goes to the senior leadership team who have made this happen.”
The Board also acknowledged positive trends in enrollment. Interim President Brent Brewer reported that summer enrollment has surpassed expectations, with 622 students enrolled—exceeding the target of 580. Contact hours also outpaced projections, totaling 3,671 versus a goal of 3,440.
“This marks the highest summer enrollment headcount since 2017,” Brewer noted. “Sixty percent of our students are taking online courses, with 68 percent of contact hours now online. This is up from 56 percent and 62 percent, respectively, last summer.”
Jerdon credited SMC’s leadership for boosting enrollment despite demographic challenges.
“The administration is really producing enrollment numbers once again, and their hard work will continue all summer long,” he said. “It is truly amazing given the historical decline in high school graduates within the area and the state.”
In addition to budget matters, the college continues its search for a permanent president. Brewer has served as interim president since the departure of Dr. Joe Odenwald earlier this year.
