News
Southwestern Michigan College Continues Presidential Search
Published on November 19, 2025 - 12:45 p.m.
In the search for the institution’s next president, the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Michigan College will interview an additional finalist, Dr. Klint Pleasant of Rochester Hills, Mich., on Dec. 9.
After public on-campus interviews Oct. 21 and 22, the board decided at a special public meeting on Nov. 7 to consider additional prospects.
“The Board of Trustees expresses our deep thanks to the three candidates who traveled here to spend time and energy with us as we carefully evaluated each,” said Chairman Thomas F. Jerdon. “We greatly appreciate every candidate and their willingness to consider SMC. While all of the candidates had fine qualities and are CEO-caliber individuals, the Board did not find exactly the right fit for the position and will therefore interview Dr. Pleasant as soon as schedules permit.” Jerdon continued that in his opinion, “SMC resembles in many ways a four-year college as opposed to the more typical tech or trade community colleges that traditionally have a more singular focus. Additionally, many of those campuses are found in ‘state-controlled’ systems, as opposed to autonomous schools. While we offer career technical education in several areas and are always evaluating more programs there, SMC provides a robust student life program, substantial student housing facilities, quality performing arts, club sports and very competitive NJCAA athletics. SMC also benefits from a sizeable Foundation that provides additional funding and scholarship opportunities for students.”
Dr. Klint Pleasant earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Lipscomb University, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a Doctor of Education in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Special Assistant to the President as well as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Rochester Christian University in Rochester Hills, Mich. In 2017, Pleasant assumed additional responsibilities in strategic planning, enrollment and fundraising.
The public is invited to observe the interview at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center on the Dowagiac campus. Updates on the presidential search can be found at https://swmich.edu/presidential-search/
