DEARBORN — The Henry Ford College (HFC) Board of Trustees unanimously appointed John S. Satkowski as interim president of the college on Dec. 4. His duties become effective Jan. 2.

Last April, HFC President Dr. Stanley E. Jensen announced his plan to retire, effective June 30, 2018. However, a new opportunity changed his plans. He will be the new executive vice president of college operations at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa. Jensen is a native of Iowa and had long planned to retire there once he’d concluded his presidency at HFC.

His last day at HFC will be Dec. 15.

“I have deeply appreciated the HFC team, our students and our community,” Jensen said. “Together we have accomplished many outstanding and positive results. I will miss all of you. I hope you will understand and appreciate how much my wife, Teresa, and I look forward to being within 30 minutes of all our kids and grandkids, with an opportunity to continue serving community college students.”

Satkowski has worked at HFC for more than five years as the vice president of financial, facilities and auxiliary services. Before coming to HFC, Satkowski served as interim president of Owens Community College in Perrysburg, OH, and was the executive vice president of Finance/Treasurer at Owens for more than four years.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. He went on to earn both his master’s degree in accounting and his juris doctor from the University of Toledo. He gained professional education certification through Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen.

Satkowski will serve as interim president until the new president’s arrival on campus next year. The board is conducting a search for HFC’s next president and is expected to appoint Jensen’s successor in the spring.

“The board is grateful to Stan for his steady leadership these past four years,” said Mary Lane, chair of the HFC Board of Trustees. “We have made great progress with enrollment, finances and academic and co-curricular programs that prepare our graduates for professional and personal success. We are confident in the future of the college, and we wish Stan well as he returns to his home state.”