BATTLE CREEK, MI (WTVB) – The sixth president in the history of Kellogg Community College officially took over the position this week. Dr. Adrien L. Bennings replaces previous president Mark O’Connell, who retired effective January 5.
Dr. Bennings previously was Vice President for Finance and Administration at Clovis Community College in Clovis, New Mexico. The KCC Board of Trustees named Dr. Bennings as the new KCC president after conducting a national search in 2019.
According to the college, throughout her first week Bennings met with numerous KCC employees and community members and attended several campus events as she started to become acclimated to the organization in Barry, Branch, and Calhoun counties.
Dr. Bennings held an all-employee gathering Wednesday to present her 90-day framework for the college, saying it was aimed at advancing success at KCC by ensuring alignment of expectations, integrating early achievable priorities and generating additional momentum within KCC’s culture of continuous improvement.
“We’ve just begun the year 2020. In optical terms, 20/20 also is defined as perfect vision. Let’s make 2020 a year where we learn to see things through a different lens and a different perspective, but still in perfect alignment with the mission and vision of KCC,” Dr. Bennings said.
“Whether we are teaching our students to help them achieve their dreams, or working together as KCC employees or collaborating with our partners throughout the communities we serve, we are a team,” Dr. Bennings said.
Dr. Bennings earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University, a Master of Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University.
Prior to serving as a vice president at Clovis Community College, she served in several capacities in the areas of human resources, administration, finance, instruction and small business development. Over the years, she also has served as a mentor and board member with several organizations.
