Highlights from the September Board of Trustees meeting

By Emmett Roman
Staff Reporter

The Lansing Community College Board of Trustees met on Sept. 15. During the meeting, the LCC Police Department was accredited by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) and approved for their performance and level of service. MACP Executive Director Ron Wiles and Accreditation Program Director Matthew Silverthorne delivered the accreditation to the LCC Police Department. The accreditation process evaluated 128 best practices as established by the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. This is a major achievement, as there are 573 police agencies in Michigan and only 98 have received this accreditation.  

The Board also recognized Frank Medrano, an instructor for the ERESA program at LCC; Mauricio Barrera, an EMS graduate; and Dillon Platte, a graduate of the 110th LCC police academy, with Life Saver Awards. Additionally, the Board then honored the LCC men’s cross-country team, coached by Tim Robinson, for their second national title.

With no objections or comments, the Board approved the minutes from the June 16, 2025, meeting.

The President’s Report discussed Dean Bo Garcia’s retirement, community engagement events and social media reports. Benita Duncan, the executive assistant and liaison to the Board of Trustees, was also the recipient of the 2025 Central Regional Professional Board Staff Member Award. This is Duncan’s second time winning this award, and she will be recognized at the Association of Community College Trustee’s (ACCT) annual congress in New Orleans, Louisiana. President Steve Robinson also recognized new LCC employees during his report.

Also during the President’s Report, Interim Dean of Community Education and Workforce Development Lee Gardner stated that he attended a “very moving” graduation for students in LCC’s Job Training Center. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Talent Action Team provided LCC with a $261,000 grant, which was used to run two bootcamps for electrical controls technician and modern warehousing positions for entry level jobs in those industries. In the first six months of this program, which focused on underserved community members such as incarcerated individuals and non-native speakers, 152 total industry-recognized credentials were earned.

Provost Sally Welch then presented on the credential review process. The Board had requested an explanation of the process, as they had some questions about how to proceed when a program or class is removed from LCC’s curriculum. Welch explained that, if a program is eliminated, the professors have three years to plan how to teach all of those students out of the program. Students do not need to worry about losing their previously earned credits, as they will still count towards a degree or certification.

The board also approved of funding for a pediatric patient simulator and a SimMan critical care simulator for use in the nursing simulation center.

After that was the Chair’s Report, which discussed the appointment of a Voting Delegate for the ACCT Leadership Congress. Trustee Proctor confirmed he is continuing in that position. The audit and policy committee then gave their update.

The Board Report focused on the new scholarships coming to LCC through a major donation to the LCC Foundation. This is particularly timely and helpful for students, as not only are there more students attending LCC, but also students are taking more credits this year, with a big increase for returning adult students. These additional scholarships give those students more opportunities to pay for college.

Melissa Kaplan, the interim director of Communication, Media and the Arts, then discussed some events going on. One is the Constitution Day event with the speaker Albert M. Rosenblatt. Rosenblatt is a retired judge who will be presenting on his book, “The Eight: The Lemmon Slave Case and the Fight for Freedom.” Additionally, this month, the program “Historians at the Movies” is presenting the 1995 film “Empire Records.” History faculty member Wayde Merrill will give context and lead discussion about film. The event is co-hosted by LCC’s Vinyl Record Club.

Lastly, the Board discussed their desires to help fund textbook purchases for students.

The next Board of Trustees meeting occurs on Oct. 27, 2025, at 6 p.m. and is open to the public to attend via Webex.