Board of Trustees

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LCC Board of Trustees

Angela L. Mathews, Chair
Lawrence Hidalgo, Jr., Vice Chair
Robert E. Proctor, Treasurer
LaShunda Thomas, Secretary
Andrew Abood, Trustee
Ryan Buck, Trustee
Samantha Vaive, Trustee

LCC Board Professional Staff

Benita Duncan, Executive Assistant & Liaison
517-483-5252
duncanb@star.lcc.edu

Angela Mathews posing for a photo with Provost Elaine Pogoncheff and Dean Andrea Hoagland

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LCC Board of Trustees

Angela L. Mathews, Chair

Ms. Mathews has been a lifelong resident of Lansing for over 30 years. She is a proud Alumni of Lansing Community College where she earned a degree in Human Services from Lansing Community College. She is also a graduate of Siena Heights University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Human Services, August 2020, the Inaugural Class of the Pandemic! Ms. Mathews established her career in Lansing and dedicated herself as a long-standing Community Activist in the Lansing area. Throughout her career, she has served the Ingham County Register of Deeds’ office, Lansing School District, Hope Central Academy, and several nonprofits, including the former Youth Development Corporation and March for Justice. Ms. Mathews serves as the Executive Director of the Connection TV Show and is a Lead Correspondent and Producer for Urban Interest News Program.

She is a staunch advocate for seniors, youth, and children who are amongst the most underserved and voiceless, in communities. Her advocacy has helped displaced seniors obtain safe and affordable housing, in Michigan and Arizona. Ms. Mathews believes in supporting community events where you will find her attending and/or volunteering. She believes in righteous leadership thus she has served on committees such as MRJEA (co-lead for Arts and Culture), and Lansing Juneteenth - Director of Communications, Media, and Promotions.

Among her many achievements, Angela received the 2018 Global Women’s Dialogue/IChange Nations Awards – in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition, she received the Community Service Award from the Greater Lansing Area Club (GLAC) of The National Association of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC) in April 2020.

Her priorities as a Trustee are increasing outreach to future prospective students, keeping tuition affordable, and educational goals attainable, and strengthening LCC relationships with other educational institutions. To Trustee Mathews, LCC truly is a college like no other! She was elected to office November 8, 2016, and re-elected November 8, 2022. Her term expires December 31, 2028.

Committees/Appointments
Chair, January 2023 - present
Vice President, January 2021 - December 2022
Secretary, January 2017 - December 2019
LCC Foundation Board of Directors (Member), November 2019 – present
Grand Ledge Local Development Authority (Rep), January 2019 - present
ACCT African- American Caucus (President), October 2022/23
ACCT African-American Caucus (Member), October 2021 - present
ACCT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (Member), November 2020 - Present
ACCT Communications and Education Committee (Member), November 2019 – October 2020

[*The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.]

Lawrence Hidalgo speaking at the podium at commencement

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LCC Board of Trustees

Lawrence Hidalgo, Jr., Vice Chair

Lawrence Hidalgo, Jr. works for the State of Michigan as the Director of the Construction Safety and Health Division of MIOSHA. He was formally the Training Director for the Lansing Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. He received his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (University of Louisiana - Lafayette) and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Lawrence practices law in the area of estate planning. He served as a commissioner on the Lt. Governor's Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. Lawrence served on the committee to create the high school completion program at Lansing Community College. He was also instrumental in creating the CRAFT program in the Lansing School District that helped numerous high school students prepare for and enter into careers in the skilled trades. He was elected to the Board of Trustees for Lansing Community College, November 6, 2012, and re-elected November 6, 2018. His term expires December 31, 2024.

Committees/Appointments
Vice Chair, January 2015 - December 2018, January 2023 - present
Secretary, January 2021 - December 2022
Board Chair, January 2019 – December 2020
Foundation Board of Director, (Member), January 2013 - December 2014
Audit Committee (Member), January 2014 - December 2018, January 2021 - December 2022
Talent District Career Council, (Representative), January 2013 - December 2022

Robert Proctor speaking at graduation commencement

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LCC Board of Trustees

Robert E. Proctor, Treasurer

Mr. Proctor is an attorney, arbitrator, and mediator. He is a retired administrative law judge for the Michigan Department of Civil Service and served as legal counsel for the Labor Committee of the Michigan House of Representatives. Mr. Proctor serves and has served on various boards in various capacities within the community such as the following: former board member and chairperson for the American Red Cross; current Treasurer of the Black Child and Family Institute; former Board member of the Lansing Fair Housing Center; and mentor and tutor for the Lansing School District. He was elected to office in June 2003. He was re-elected November 3, 2009, November 8, 2016, and November 8, 2022. His term expires December 31, 2028.

Committees/Appointments
Treasurer, January 2021 - present
Policy Committee Chair, January 2018 - present
Board Chair, January 2015 - 2017
2006 Presidential Search Committee Chair
2020 Presidential Search Committee Chair
Secretary/Treasurer, July 2003 - December 2008
Audit Committee Member, January 2008 - June 2011, January 2017 - 2020
Audit Committee Chair, June 2011 - December 2014, January 2021 - present
Workforce Development Board, January 2006 - present
MCCA Board of Directors, Representative, January 2010 - present
ACCT Voting Delegate, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017
ACCT Diversity Committee, Chair; October 2014 - October 2015
ACCT Diversity Committee, November 2015 - October 2016

[*The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.]
[*Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) is the association of Michigan public community colleges whose mission is to provide leadership on issues affecting member colleges.]

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LCC Board of Trustees

LaShunda Thomas, Secretary

LaShunda Thomas is a native of Lansing, MI. She is an author, poet, mentor, community leader, organizer, and political activist. Mrs. Thomas embarked on a journey to educate area youth in the community and instill pride in their heritage. Wearing these hats has allowed Mrs. Thomas to fulfill her God-given purpose to touch and encourage individuals to reach their highest potential by changing their mindset.

LaShunda transferred from Lansing Community College to Central Michigan University, where she acquired a B.A. in Public Administration, with an emphasis on community development. She is currently a student at Spring Arbor University, due to graduate in June 2021 with her Masters in Social Work.

She was elected to office November 3, 2020, and her term expires December 31, 2026.

Committees/Appointments
Secretary, January 2023 - present

Andrew Abood speaking at the Granger Clock Tower ceremony

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LCC Board of Trustees

Andrew P. Abood, Trustee

Andrew P. Abood is a lifelong resident of the Greater Lansing Area, a graduate of J.W. Sexton High School and a lifetime student at Lansing Community College. He has more than 25 years of experience practicing law and more than 16 years of experience as a partner in the Abood Law Firm, a prominent law firm with locations in East Lansing and Birmingham, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and went on to complete his law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, graduating two semesters early with cum laude status in the top 5 of his class In 1997, he opened his own firm (the Abood Law Firm), where he was later joined by other family members including F. Joseph Abood (brother) and Fredric S. Abood (Father).

As an active member of the community, Andrew P. Abood has received awards such as the Crystal Award of Recognition, 10 best Client Satisfaction Awards by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, and Top 100 OWI Attorneys in the State of Michigan. He was elected to office November 4, 2014, and re-elected November 3, 2020. His term expires on December 31, 2026.

Committees/Appointments
Board Chair, January 2017 - December 2018
*MCCA Board of Directors, (Representative), January 2017 - December 2020
Foundation Board of Directors, (Member), January 2015 - December 2016

[*Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) is the association Michigan public community colleges whose mission is to provide leadership on issues affecting member colleges.]

Ryan Buck speaking at graduation commencement

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LCC Board of Trustees

Ryan Buck, Trustee

A lifelong Michigander, Ryan grew up in the small communities of Ishpeming and Negaunee, both of which are located in the north-central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He is the product of a middle-class upbringing. Ryan's father spent 30 years in the UP’s iron mines while his mother has continuously owned and operated a small business for even longer.

Ryan is a graduate of Central Michigan University, having earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and European Studies. There, he took up leadership roles with the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity and Siblings Weekend program and led service trips across the country focused on issues such as disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and disaster relief.

Later, Ryan attended Michigan State University College of Law where he earned a Juris Doctor. While studying law, he worked with the Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, a free legal aid clinic assisting indigent clients to resolve their tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, Michigan Department of Treasury, and local taxing authorities.

Upon passing the bar exam, Ryan worked in private practice focusing on tax matters and estate planning. Later, he spent more than eight years with Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum's Office serving as the Chief Deputy Clerk of the Ingham County Circuit Court. Currently, Ryan serves as the Ingham County Probate Court Administrator/Register.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ryan also served six years on the State Bar of Michigan's District E Character and Fitness Committee, leading the committee for the last two years as its Chairperson.

Ryan believes that Lansing Community College is an engine of both stability and positive change. His top priority for his second term of office is ensuring that the College keeps to its vision: serving the learning needs of a changing community. This includes keeping its focus on student success, making LCC an employer of choice, sound financial decision making, and enhancing the College's competitiveness in the higher education sector.

Ryan was elected to office November 8, 2016, and re-elected November 8, 2022. His term expires December 31, 2028.

Committees/Appointments
Chair, January 2021 - December 2022
Vice Chair, January 2019 - December 2020
Foundation Board of Directors, (Member), January 2017 - December 2022
Audit Committee (Member), January 2019 - December 2020
Leslie Local Development Authority (Rep), January 2019 - December 2022

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LCC Board of Trustees

Samantha Vaive, Trustee

Samantha Vaive made her home in Lansing after spending years moving from state to state. She started at Simon's Rock College at 16 and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree focused in psychology. At Simon's Rock she earned the Peter I.B. Lavan Merit Scholarship for Excellency in the Social Sciences. She presented her undergraduate thesis as a paper at the New England Psychological Association's Annual Conference in 2007. She was a member of the Honors Society during her time at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work, earning an MSW in clinical therapy and animal-assisted therapy. She worked as a counselor for at-risk youth and young mothers battling addiction. After moving to Michigan she completed a Post-Graduate certificate program at The University of Michigan in sex therapy and sexual health education. She works as a community organizer and political consultant, holding several elected positions and officer positions within the MDP. LCC is a wonderful resource with the ability to bring a higher quality of life to everyone in our community, as a Trustee she will work to continue that legacy.

Her goal is to use the knowledge and skills she's developed to help all of Lansing pursue higher education and self-development. She was elected to office November 6, 2018, and her term expires December 31, 2024.

Committees/Appointments
ACCT Finance and Audit Committee (Member), November 2020 - present
ACCT Governance and Bylaws Committee (Member), November 2019 - October 2020

Benita Duncan during the 2018 ACCT Leadership Congress in New York

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LCC Board Professional Staff

Benita Duncan, Executive Assistant & Liaison to the Board of Trustees

Benita Duncan received her bachelor's in Business Administration from Howard University. She has been employed full-time at Lansing Community College (LCC) since 1995 and was appointed by the LCC Board of Trustees to serve as the Administrative Assistant to the Board in April 2006. In June 2015, Ms. Duncan was promoted to Executive Assistant & Liaison to the Board. Ms. Duncan manages the day-to-day operations of the board of trustees’ office and is the primary contact person for individuals seeking to communicate with the board. Ms. Duncan also works as a bridge-builder between the Board and the Administration.

Benita led the effort to transition from a paper to paperless system for Board meeting materials saving the college time and money. She is actively involved in many college committees, mentors, volunteers, and served on many interview panels. Ms. Duncan has had the honor to serve four LCC Presidents.

In March 2008 and March 2021, the Board of Trustees adopted resolutions honoring Ms. Duncan for her service as lead support to the Presidential Screening and Search Committee for the hiring of the sixth and seventh college President. In October 2014, she received the 2014 Central Regional Professional Board Staff Member Award given annually by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), and a Special Tribute from the State of Michigan for exemplary service and dedication to the college, her family, her church and community. ACCT is a national association that governs board leadership at community, technical and junior colleges.

Committees/Appointments
ACCT PBSN, Immediate Past President, 2022 - present
ACCT Professional Board Staff Network (PBSN), President, 2021 - 2022
ACCT PBSN, Vice President, 2019 - 2021
ACCT PBSN, Secretary, 2018 - 2019
ACCT PBSN, Member, 2012 - present
Policy Committee, Member, 2018 – present
2020 Presidential Search and Screening Committee, Lead Support
2008 Presidential Search and Screening Committee, Lead Support
LCC ACE Women's Network, Member

Publications
ACCT Trustee Quarterly Magazine

Serving with Excellence, Winter 2020
Let this be our Finest Hour, Spring 2020
Working from Home the New Norm, Fall 2020
6 Feet Apart, Winter 2021
A Virtual CEO Search, Spring 2021
There’s a New Sheriff in Town, Winter 2022
Is a Great Leader Born or Made, Spring 2022
A New York State of Mind, Fall 2022