2023 Commencement Speakers

Details and information to help you get to know this year’s Commencement Speaker and Distinguished Alumni honoree.

Commencement Speaker

Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

Quick Stats:

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
College/University: Princeton University/Columbia University
Title: CEO/President, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Profile and Bio

Distinguished Alumni

Nicole Noll-Williams

Quick Stats:

Hometown: Carson City, MI
College/University: Lansing Community College
Title: CEO/President, Capital Region Airport Authority

Profile and Bio

The single most important piece of advice for a graduating college student is please, please be gentle with yourself and by extension, be gentle with others.

- Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

I consider LCC to be not only a direct launching pad for my career but also a valuable asset for the mid-Michigan community.

- Nicole Noll-Williams

Living a judgment-free life leads to fewer wrinkles, frown lines and gray hair.

- Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

It goes without saying that my attitude toward LCC is one of gratitude and appreciation.

- Nicole Noll-Williams

2023 Commencement Speaker: Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

Get to know this year’s Commencement Speaker

Why did you say yes to being LCC’s 2023 Commencement Speaker?

I said yes for three reasons: First, LCC has been a tremendous partner to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and when partners ask you to do something, I try to find a way to say, “yes.” Second, it is an undeserved honor to be asked to be a commencement speaker and having a wife who is a higher education executive and scholar, I realize how fortunate that I am to have been asked. Third, writing the speech is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the various chapters of my life and the fact that each day is its own commencement, that new start that can redefine life’s trajectory.

What is your current passion project?

I am blessed that my job at MEDC is my passion project. It took me a long time to find the intersection of God’s purpose for me, my gifting and a place about which I am enthusiastic. I found that here at MEDC and in Michigan.

What was it like going to Princeton and Columbia?

Princeton and Columbia were two of the most intellectually demanding and enriching experiences of my life. Candidly, I was insecure and immature when I attended both schools and didn’t fully maximize the experiences yet because of the richness of the environments, only leveraging 33% yielded a harvest that still nourishes my mind and spirit today. Plus seeing the Tigers (Princeton) make the Sweet Sixteen in the Men’s NCAA tournament made me smile when I reflect upon the fact that I sat in the same Jadwin Gym over thirty years ago where the Men’s and Women’s Tigers still play.

What are you most grateful for in life?

I am most grateful for God’s infinite grace. I have made a lot of mistakes and yet, God continues to bless me not because of me but because of who He is. His grace positioned me to have the tremendous fortune to have the best job in economic development, wonderful colleagues and bosses from the Governor to bi-partisan members of the Legislature to the MEDC Executive Committee and members of the broader business community to whom I am ultimately responsible and an incredible family that loves me unconditionally with all my warts, insecurities and limitations.

What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a graduating college student?

The single most important piece of advice for a graduating college student is please, please be gentle with yourself and by extension, be gentle with others. Yes, you have graduated, but what you have really done is that you have commenced and therefore, you are at the beginning of your journey and therefore, you will not have all the answers and will make mistakes. Bonus pieces of advice: 1) living a judgment-free life leads to fewer wrinkles, frown lines and gray hair and 2) make new and interesting mistakes and not the ones that you could have avoided if you would have listened to a parent, guardian or someone else who wanted to pour wisdom into your life.

Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

“Quentin L. Messer, Jr.” — Photo by Jeffery Johnston

Commencement Speaker Bio

Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Quentin Messer CEO for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in July 2021.

As MEDC CEO and President, and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, Messer is charged with MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and enhancing Michigan’s image and brand with a focus on building a strong and equitable economy.

Before arriving at MEDC, Messer was President and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA), a position he took up in 2015. There, Messer led business attraction efforts, small business growth, talent development, branding and equitable economic growth.

Prior to his role at NOLABA, Messer served as Assistant Secretary at Louisiana Economic Development. In that role, he was designated president of the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation.

An IEDC certified economic developer, Messer received a bachelor’s degree from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University's Law and Business Schools, respectively.

2023 Distinguished Alumni: Nicole Noll-Williams

Get to know this year’s Distinguished Alumni

How does it feel to be named LCC’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni?

I’m honored to have been nominated and selected as the 2023 Lansing Community College Alumni Award Recipient. My experience at LCC greatly influenced and launched my aviation career. Today, I continue to be passionate about an industry that was introduced to me as an LCC student.

What is your current passion project?

The aviation industry has been a passion of mine for my entire adult life. Frankly - it’s contagious - and I’m enjoying the opportunities I have had throughout my career in providing awareness and mentorship to future leaders in a rewarding industry.

What was it like going to LCC?

The practical skills and knowledge I obtained from LCC were essential in my advancement in the aviation industry. I started my career as an airline customer service agent and continued on as a regional airline sales representative, airline station manager, travel management director, airport marketing/development director, regional director for a U.S. Senator, to today in my current role as the president and CEO for the Capital Region Airport Authority. Continual education, strong work ethic, and mentorship have been critical to the success of my career.

What are you most grateful for in life?

I’m grateful for so many things, and I don’t express my gratitude nearly as often as I should. As always, I am so grateful for my family and friends, and those that have made a positive impact on our lives. In addition, it goes without saying that my attitude toward LCC is one of gratitude and appreciation. I consider LCC to be not only a direct launching pad for my career but also a valuable asset for the mid-Michigan community.

Distinguished Alumni Bio

Nicole Noll-Williams has served as the president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority since 2021. As CEO, Noll-Williams is responsible for operating the Capital Region International Airport and Mason Jewett Field.

Previously, Nicole spent almost 3 years as the mid-Michigan regional director for U.S. Senator Gary C. Peters, and more than 25 years in the aviation industry with experience in air service development, airline management and contract management. Until 2018, she was the director of marketing and passenger development for the Capital Region Airport Authority.

Prior to her Airport Authority service, Nicole was the director of sales for Spartan Travel, a Michigan travel management company, and developed travel policies and negotiated air, car and hotel contracts for state-wide organizations including the state of Michigan, Michigan State University and Michigan insurance and manufacturing companies.

In addition to her other responsibilities and achievements, Nicole serves as a commissioner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, chair on the Habitat for Humanity Capital Region Board, board member for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), a member of the MSU Global Business Advisory Council, a member of the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) Legislative Committee, and a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives. Nicole also received the distinguished ATHENA Leadership Award, given to women who achieve professional excellence. Nicole is an Airport Council International United States policy member and Mid-Michigan Business Travel Coalition ex officio.

Nicole is married to Keith Williams and has two daughters McKenzie and Brooklyn.