DEARBORN-After a year long selection process, The Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) Board of Trustees announces the appointment of Dr. Stan Jensen as the fifth president of the institution. Dr. Jensen began his first day on the job on May 1st. 

Prior to joining HFCC, Dr. Jensen served as the president and CEO of Colorado Mountain College (CMC). CMC is a growing institution that is ranked first in Colorado and 17th in the nation for student success, as measured by graduation rates and transfer rates.

As a higher education administrator, Dr. Jensen had focused on strategic planning for college growth, program development, resource development, strategic technology adoption and leadership during his run at CMC.

In a press release, Dr. Jensen says that he is ready to contribute those same strategies at HFCC. He believes that this opportunity is a good fit for him based on his background, experience in higher education, and desire to help the organization increase its value to the Dearborn community and state of Michigan. 

But Dr. Jensen’s appointment didn’t come without some controversy. After the Board of Trustees selected him as their top candidate for president of the College last month, some faculty and staff expressed their dissatisfaction toward the selection, backing numerous other candidates who they felt were better suited for the job. But despite this, Dr. Jensen says he will do his best to reach out to HFCC’s faculty and staff, so that everyone is on the same page.  

“I look forward to working with the dedicated faculty and staff to ensure that the College thrives and builds on its legacy as an exceptional institution of higher education. It is essential that everyone works together to help enhance the reputation of the College through programs and services, and help our students achieve success in both the classroom and work place.” 

Jensen says his immediate plans are to address financial issues, help retain students in order for them to complete their studies, and increase graduation rates.   

“By undertaking these goals, faculty, staff and students will help increase the value of an HFCC education. HFCC has had an exceptional reputation as a premier community college in Michigan. With our entire College working together to enhance that reputation, I am confident the institution will continue to be an even more important asset to the Dearborn community and state,” he added.

Dr. Jensen replaces Dr. Gail Mee, who left the College to pursue other opportunities. She was the fourth president of the College and the first female to serve in that role.  During her successful tenure, enrollment at the College had increased by several thousand students. Recently however, HFCC has gone through some financial difficulty, reflected in the college’s upcoming 2013-2014 seven percent tuition increase.