The Board of Trustees at St. Louis Community College appointed Dennis F. Michaelis, Ph.D., to serve as the interim chancellor at the Oct. 17 monthly meeting. Michaelis will begin work Oct. 28.
“We believe that Dr. Michaelis will provide exceptional leadership through this transitional period,” said Craig Larson, Ed.D., board chair. ”His credentials and experience as a community college leader are outstanding.”
Michaelis retired in August 2009 after a 21-year career as president of McLennan Community College. During his tenure at MCC, the college expanded its instructional programs and invested in technology, staffing and infrastructure improvements. These initiatives resulted in the greatest enrollment growth seen in the history of the college -- an increase from 5,000 in 1988 to 10,000-plus by fall 2009.
Michaelis also was instrumental in developing MCC’s University Center, which provides access to affordable bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs on the MCC campus through partnerships with Tarleton State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
In 2006, Michaelis played a key role in helping the Friends of MCC pass a $74.5 million bond proposal to fund three new buildings as well as update infrastructure on the MCC campus. In 2007, Michaelis helped initiate a partnership between MCC, the city of Waco, McLennan County, and several local municipalities to serve central Texas with a regional emergency services training center. Michaelis' work to expand MCC's ability to serve more students is transforming the campus. The Dennis F. Michaelis Academic Center, the Science building, and the Emergency Services Education Center were completed just prior to Michaelis' retirement.
After retiring, Michaelis continued to serve on the boards of the Brazos Higher Education Authority and Providence Health Network, a part of Ascension Health.
He previously served as president of Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, and Lake Region Community College in Devils Lake, N.D.
Michaelis earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Kansas State University. He holds a master’s degree in English from Fort Hays State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas.
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