Dennis J. Bona, Ed.D. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Extensive experience in public education, including executive leadership positions at the Community College level, as well as faculty positions at both post-secondary and secondary levels. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in a collaborative team environment, make data-based decisions, establish a culture of continuous improvement, and sustain a high performance effort toward achieving goals established through an outcomes-based vision. RECENT MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Passed a $40 million capital improvement millage in 2012 and during perhaps the worst economic times in our lifetime. Acquired over $10 million dollars in grants from local, state and federal funding sources, as well as private foundations. These funds were used to develop new and innovative programs, including the most recent grants of $2.1 million from the WK Kellogg Foundation to establish a center for racial equity and a $20+ million dollar TAACCT grant this past fall of which KCC received $2.7 million. Increased the KCC Foundation from $3M to $9M in four years. Established new or substantially modified academic, career and workforce development programs for Engineering Transfer, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, EDGE, Advanced Manufacturing Assembly, Service Learning, Transitional Studies, General Education Assessment, Early College Program and a Charter School that operates collaboratively with local K-12 Districts. Developed or restructured institutional processes, policies and procedures related to tuition rates, dual enrollment, institutional research, on-line learning, financial aid, human resources and employee health benefits. Transformed institutional culture to a learner centered outcomes based model that values metrics that reflect performance aligned with student goal attainment. Expanded the college engagement in several community initiatives by participating in the Beacon Initiative for Community Transformation, providing leadership for the renewal of the Non-Profit Alliance, becoming a member of the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce Board, serving on the Workforce Development Board of a new four-county region, establishing a physical office presence in downtown Battle Creek and serving on the Battle Creek Unlimited Executive Board. 1
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MI 49017 President July 2010 to Present Responsible for providing leadership for the institution. As Chief Executive Officer, my major job accountabilities include working with a publically elected Board of Trustees, development and management of college policy, nurture an effective organizational culture, maintain fiduciary responsibility for a $38 million operating budget, engage the local community through positive public relations, communicate college needs to State government officials, assure college accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, and provide direction for staff and students through a shared vision that is aligned with the college mission and values. The president also serves as the President of the Kellogg Community College Foundation, whose primary purpose is to raise funds and distribute scholarships to students. The current endowment is valued at approx. $9 million. Vice President for Instruction March 2003 to June 2010 Responsible for providing executive level leadership for the Instructional Divisions at KCC. As Chief Academic Officer, my major program areas for instruction included: Arts and Science Division, Career & Occupational Education Division, Regional Education, Corporate & Community Services, Learning Resources and Lifelong Learning. Total enrollment for the college is approximately 15,000 students, with 400 adjunct faculty, 93full time faculty, 120 administrative and support staff that ultimately report through to my position. The annual budget for the division is approx. $16 million. Major responsibilities include supervision, staffing, curriculum development, budgeting, resource allocation, contract negotiations, student issues, facility development, grant writing, fund raising, college accreditation, and college policy development. I also serve as a member of Presidents Cabinet, Chair of Academic Cabinet, Chair of Student Services Cabinet, and the Affirmative Action Officer. Dean, Career and Occupational Education March 1999 to February 2003 Responsible for providing leadership of career and occupational education at KCC. This includes all programs organized in Allied Health, Customized Training, Business & Information Technology, Nursing, and the Regional Manufacturing Technology Center. Total enrollment for the division is approximately 9,000 students, 50+ full-time faculty, 150+ adjunct faculty, and 25 administrative and support staff. The annual budget for the division is approx. $6.5 million. Major responsibilities include supervision, staffing, curriculum, budgeting, resource allocation, facility management, grant applications, new program development, student appeals, and the management of the Perkins funding processes. Member of Academic Cabinet charged with collaborative decision making regarding institutional processes, policies and procedures that effect the instructional division of the college. Director, Regional Manufacturing Technology Center July 1991 to March 1999 Responsible for the operation of a KCC extension campus, located in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The primary mission of the center was to meet the training needs of the 2
local manufacturing workforce. The RMTC served 1500+ students annually, of which approximately 80% were sponsored by over 140 employers located across southwest Michigan. The RMTC has been recognized nationally for its innovative and effective instructional delivery system that meets the needs of its customers. Specific responsibilities include extensive involvement with the marketing, planning, fund raising, construction, equipping, and management of this facility. Director, Trades & Technology June 1986 to July 1991 Department Chair level position that included administrative responsibilities for Associate Degree, Certificate, and Apprenticeship Programs that featured both open entry/exit, individualized, competency based instruction in the Industrial Trades, as well as traditional semester based Technology programs. Responsibilities included curriculum development, scheduling, staffing, faculty and program evaluation, staff development, budgeting, academic advising, marketing, advisory committees, capital outlay, and facility planning and utilization. Instructional Manager, Industrial Welding August 1981 to May 1986 Faculty position that involved teaching Industrial Welding in a competency-based, individualized, open entry/exit instructional program. Responsibilities included management of instructional lab, coordination and supervision of adjunct faculty, curriculum development, training needs analysis for companies, facilitation of a program advisory committee, student advising, career counseling, and placement assistance for graduates. Calhoun Area Vocational Center Battle Creek, MI 49017 Program Manager, Welding August 1979 to July 1981 A teaching position at the secondary level that provided experience with student instruction, evaluation, counseling and student discipline. Responsibilities included lab management, purchasing equipment and supplies, parent teacher conferences, curriculum development, and extensive work with special population students. EDUCATION Western Michigan University - Kalamazoo, MI Ed.D. Educational Leadership - 1997 M.A. Educational Leadership - 1985 Ferris State University - Big Rapids, MI B.S. Trade & Technical Education 1979 Michigan Vocational Teaching Certification for Secondary Level A.A.S. Welding Technology - 1978 ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Michigan State University, Lansing, MI Adjunct Faculty - United Association Instructor Training Program 1989 to 2002 Developed and taught two new courses in professional curriculum. 3
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI Adjunct Faculty Department of Educational Leadership 2002 to 2010 Adjunct Faculty Department of Career & Technical Education 1998 to 2001 Professional Consultant Kellogg Company - Leadership training for 200 supervisors; 1994 to 1995 Denso Mfg. - In-depth supplier relationship study 1996 State of West Virginia - Assisted higher education lobbying 1995 & 1996 initiative to produce pro-community college legislation. Grant Writing Primary writer for grants that were successfully funded by: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Racial Equity $2.1 million (2014), Federal TAACCT Grant $2.7 million (2013), WKKF - Academic Support Department $700K (2011), MI Dept. of Ed. - Tech Prep Pilot Project (1989), JTPA - Workforce Readiness (1994), MI Jobs Commission - Labor Market Survey (1995) & School-to-Work (1995), S.E.T. Grant - Safety Training (1996), Perkins - Apprenticeship Study (1996), MI Jobs Commission - Skilled Worker Initiative (1998) & Michigan Technical Education Center (1999). Assisted in Title III grant Learning Communities & Student Registration Automation (1999-2002). Presenter/Speaker Presented break-out sessions at national conferences for the A.A.C.C., Workforce Development Institute, A.A.C.U. Essential Learning Outcomes Conference, Michigan Department of Career Development, and various other organizations at conferences in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Mackinaw Island and Ann Arbor, MI; Nashville, TN; Houston, TX; San Diego, CA; Washington D.C.; Clearwater, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; New Orleans, LA; Zanesville, OH, Fall River, MA. & Savannah, GA. Speak on a regular basis at virtually all local service organizations in a three county area including Rotary, Optimist, Lions, Exchange clubs and Chamber of Commerce s. Awards National Council for Learning Resources of AACC Administrative Leadership Award 2009 The Substance Abuse Council Honors Award for Outstanding Service 2011 Committees Kellogg Community College: Academic Cabinet, Faculty Evaluation, On-Line Curriculum Development, Outcomes Assessment, Enrollment Management, General Education Competencies, North Central Accreditation, Developmental Education Advisory Board, and numerous ad-hoc committees. Michigan Department of Career Development /Michigan Community College Association: Michigan Colleges On-Line (MCO) program oversight committee Dual Enrollment Committee State Wide College-Ready - ACT Cut Score Committee Activities Classification Structure (ACS) Revision Committee Education Advisory Group (EAG) for Calhoun, Branch, & Barry Counties 4
Perkins Work Group Re-designed the State of Michigan Perkins application process Perkins Re-Authorization Provided Federal Department of Education with rational for reauthorization and improvement of the Perkins Act. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Michigan Community College Association July 2010 to present Michigan Community College Chief Academic Officers Chairperson April 2003 to May 2010 Michigan Occupational Deans Administrative Council Vice President July 2002 to March 2003, Executive Committee 2001-2002, Member 1999-2001 Michigan Educators Apprenticeship & Training Association - Chairperson 1994-1999; Secretary 1987-1991, Member 1986-1987. Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Inc. Treasurer 1996-1999. School to Registered Apprenticeship Consortium - Board of Trustees, appointed in 1996 Michigan Vocational Curriculum Leaders - Board of Directors, 1988-1990. BOARDS & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Binda Foundation Board May 2014 to present Educators Task Force July 2010 to present Battle Creek Unlimited Executive Board July 2010 to present Workforce Development Board July 2010 to present Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce Board October 2013 to present Carson s Scholarship Board July 2010 to present Non-profit Alliance Advisory Board July 2010 to present Legacy Scholars Board July 2010 to present Battle Creek Area Math Science Center Advisory Board - Chair 2005-2006, Post-Secondary Representative 2003-2010 Calhoun Area Technology Center Advisory Board (various programs) 1981-2009 Pennfield Public Schools: Pennfield Schools Foundation Trustee - 2006 to 2010 Board of Education Secretary 2000-2002, Trustee 1997-2000. Citizens Facility Improvement Committee (Bond Campaigns) - Chair 1995 & 1996. District School Improvement Team - Parent Representative - appointed in 1994. Battle Creek United Way: Chair, Fort Custer Industrial Park fund raising campaign, 1994. Battle Creek United Arts Council: Volunteer, 1995 fund-raising campaign. 5