Board of Trustees
As a Michigan public community college, Southwestern Michigan College operates under the supervision of a locally-elected Board of Trustees.
The seven Board members serve six-year terms and represent a broad range of backgrounds and geographic locations within the college’s service area. Members of the Board serve their constituents without compensation.
Meeting Information
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2022 Meetings
All meetings are held at 8 a.m. in room 2109 of the David C. Briegel Building on the Dowagiac campus unless otherwise noted below.
Board Policy on Hearing of Public Citizens
January 12
February 9
February 21—Working Session
March 9
April 13
May 11
June 8
August 17—Long Range Planning | 10 a.m.
September 14
October 12
November 9 | Niles Campus
December 14
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Agendas
Proposed Agenda for May 11, 2022 Meeting
Agenda for April 13, 2022 Meeting
Agenda for March 9, 2022 MeetingAgenda for February 21, 2022 Working Session
Agenda for February 9, 2022 Meeting
Agenda for January 12, 2022 Meeting
Agenda for December 8, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for November 10, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for October 13, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for September 8, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for June 9, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for May 12, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for April 14, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for March 10, 2021 Meeting
Agenda for March 10, 2021 Working Session
Agenda for February 10, 2021 Meeting
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Meeting Minutes
BOT Minutes from May 11, 2022 Meeting
Minutes from April 13, 2022 MeetingMinutes from March 9, 2022 Meeting
Minutes from February 9, 2022 Meeting
Minutes from January 12, 2022 Meeting
Minutes from December 8, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from November 10, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from October 13, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from September 8, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from June 9, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from May 12, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from April 14, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from March 10, 2021 Meeting
Minutes from February 10, 2021 Meeting
Meet the Board Members
Thomas F. Jerdon, Chairman
Chairman Tom Jerdon is a third-generation real estate broker with Jerdon Real Estate of Silver Creek Township. He earned an SMC associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. He became a trustee in 1991 and was elected chairman in 2015.
Keith H. McKenzie, Vice Chairman
Keith McKenzie, who majored in agricultural economics at Michigan State University, joined the SMC board in 1987. The lifelong Cassopolis/Marcellus farmer is past president of the Michigan Livestock Exchange and the Michigan Pork Producers and served on the Michigan Agriculture Commission appointed by Gov. John Engler.
Beth J. Cripe, Secretary
Trustee Beth Cripe from Wayne Township earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Albion College and her master’s degree in business administration from Loyola University. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2011 and has worked for Dowagiac’s Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in a development capacity since 2007.
Becky Moore, Treasurer
Treasurer Becky Moore, a trustee since 2012, currently serves as Cass County Finance Deputy Director. She attended Marcellus High School, then received an associate degree from SMC and a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. She began her career in Kalamazoo in 1985 with Alexander Grant, then joined BDO Seidman. After several years of government audits, she became Lewis Cass Intermediate School District finance officer. She founded Accounting Consultants, PC, in Dowagiac in 1992 and now resides in rural Cassopolis.
Dr. Elaine Foster, Trustee
Dr. Elaine Foster is vice president of nursing at Education Affiliates. She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and administration from Andrews University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Andrews University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan. In addition to serving with a number of national nursing organizations, Dr. Foster serves as the president for the Board of Trustees for the Cass County Council on Aging. She joined SMC's Board of Trustees in 2019.
Tracy D. Hertsel, Trustee
Tracy D. Hertsel is from Penn Township and is the director of Student Support Services for Niles Community Schools. He earned an SMC associate degree, a Western Michigan University bachelor of science degree and a Western Michigan University master of arts degree. He serves as the president of the Cass Family Clinic Network board. He has also been a volunteer fireman for over 35 years in Cass County. He joined SMC’s Board of Trustees in March of 2020.
William M. White, Trustee
Secretary Bill White of Jones has been on SMC’s Board of Trustees since 1992. He studied agriculture at SMC and Michigan State University and farms with sons Jon and Andy. The Whites operate a farrow-to-finish hog operation, growing corn to feed livestock in southeastern Cass County.