Futures InSight Symposium

Futures InSight Symposium
PRESENTERS—in schedule order
Dr. James Jacobs
President, Macomb Community College, Michigan
James Jacobs assumed the presidency of Macomb Community College in 2008. Prior
to his appointment, he concurrently served as director for the Center for Workforce
Development and Policy at the college, and as associate director, Community College
Research Center (CCRC), Teachers College, Columbia University.
Jacobs earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and has more than 40 years
experience at Macomb. He has taught social science, political science and
economics. He specializes in the areas of workforce skills and technology,
economic development, worker retraining and community college workforce development, and is
widely published in these areas of expertise.
He is a past president of the National Council for Workforce Education, a national post-secondary
organization of occupational education and workforce development specialists, and a member of the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology and the National Assessment of Career and Technical Education. He is also a member of the
Community College Advisory Panel to the Educational Testing Service in Princeton New Jersey.
Jacobs is currently serving on the Governor’s Talent Investment Board, which advises Michigan’s
governor on job creation, and talent development and retention. He is widely known for the Macomb
County Economic Forecast, presented annually for more than 30 years for the coalition of county’s
chambers of commerce. Jacobs serves on a number of local boards, including the Center for Automotive
Research, Metropolitan Affairs Council and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Dr. Carol D’Amico
Vice President, East Region Project, Lead the Way
Appointed by President Bush in 2001, Dr. Carol D’Amico served as the Assistant
Secretary for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education until 2003. She was the
principal spokesperson and leading advisor to the President and Secretary of
Education on all matters related to high school workforce issues and community
and technical colleges.
Dr. D’Amico is a recognized expert on education and workforce development
issues, co-author of the nationally recognized Workforce 2020, and frequent lecturer and keynoter with
extensive experience in advising corporate and government leaders on strategies to strengthen America’s
economy through a qualified educated workforce.
Dr. Allen Goben
Chancellor, Western Governors University, Missouri
Dr. Allen Goben serves as Chancellor of WGU Missouri
http://missouri.wgu.edu/. He recently worked as president of Heartland
Community College www.heartland.edu in Normal, IL and has been honored
in doctoral studies as a Distinguished Graduate at The University of Texas at
Austin. In 2011, Allen was named to the 21st Century Commission on the
Future of Community Colleges by the American Association of Community
Colleges www.aacc.nche.edu. This complements his participation in AACC's
Voluntary Framwork of Accountability Steering Committee, an effort that
began in 2009.
Dr. Goben served as President of Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) in Kentucky
www.hazard.kctcs.edu from 2007-10. HCTC was honored as one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky
2010, reflecting a positive and team-based environment, and further honored in the Chronicle of Higher
Education as one of the Chronicle's Best Colleges to Work For 2010. In just three years, this teamwork
fueled outstanding improvement in student success; the College's fall to fall credential-seeking
student persistence increased by more than 24%.
Allen has devoted over twenty-five years to collaborative leadership and learning excellence as a faculty
member, coach, college recruiter, counselor, and administrator. Previous career experience includes
work as a Senior Executive, Higher Education Development in the Education Practice for SAS Institute,
the world's largest privately held software company www.sas.com/education. Early career educational
administration duties include work as a college's Executive Vice President, as a Dean of Academic
Affairs/Workforce Development, and leadership of student services operations as a Counselor for
Advanced Technologies. Dr. Goben's classroom teaching experience includes history, geography, social
studies, communications, and human relations. He has served as a master presenter and keynote
speaker for colleges, businesses, leadership training programs, and faculty/staff development institutes
in several states--enhancing Collaboration Power through a focus on leadership and learning styles.
A first generation college student who began his post-secondary educational journey at Indian Hills
Community College in his home state of Iowa, Allen eventually completed a bachelor’s degree in History
from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in School Counseling from Drake University, and a
doctoral degree in Educational Administration from The University of Texas at Austin, Community
College Leadership Program (Ed.D., 2003). Dr. Goben and wife Kelly reside in McLean County,
Illinois with three daughters: Natalie, Riley, and Halley.
Dr. Christopher Baldwin
Executive Director of Michigan Center for Student Success, Michigan
Chris Baldwin is the Executive Director of the newly created Michigan Center
for Student Success. Prior to accepting this new role in Michigan, Chris was a
program director at Jobs for the Future (JFF) in Boston, MA where he codirected the state policy component of Achieving the Dream and the
Developmental Education Initiative. Through these initiatives, Chris worked
with departments of higher education, community college system offices, and
associations of community colleges in 16 states providing strategic advice and
technical assistance concerning the adoption of state policies that support and
encourage improved outcomes for community college students.
Before joining JFF, Chris was vice president for government and community outreach at Owens Community
College in Northwest Ohio where he worked on state and national policy affecting community colleges. Chris
has also served in a variety of governmental and advocacy positions over the past two decades, including a
stint in the office of the Ohio governor.
Chris has a Ph.D. in the higher education program from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on
the tensions at community colleges between maintaining open-door access while also promoting student
completion. He also holds a B.A. in political science and history from Baldwin-Wallace College and a M.A. in
international studies from Ohio University.
Dr. Phyllis Grummon
Recently Retired, Director of Planning, SCUP, Michigan
Phyllis Grummon has been the Director of Planning and Education of the
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) for ten years. Her
primary role is to shepherd the development of content that achieves the
mission of advancing integrated planning on campuses. In that capacity
she has written numerous articles, delivered presentations, and created a
course to teach higher education professionals how to successfully use
planning to achieve institutional goals.
Prior to working for SCUP, Dr. Grummon was the Director of University
Planning at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, for seven years. Dr. Grummon also directed the
program evaluation unit of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at MSU and served as an
adjunct professor in a number of colleges, including Education, Social Science, and Business. Dr.
Grummon provided educational policy and assessment development related to employability skills while
working for the State of Michigan. She has also worked as a management consultant and mental health
professional.
Dr. Grummon received her BA in Psychology and Science Education (with distinction) from Cornell
University in 1973 and her doctorate in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan in
1982. Dr. Grummon is active in her community, serving on the board of a local hospital, the design team
for a high school, as a Girl Scout leader, and as treasurer of her church. She has been married to David, a
materials science professor at MSU for over 30 years. They have four grown children. In 2001, Dr.
Grummon completed an all-women’s, Nordic ski expedition to the North Pole.
Dr. Roberta Teahen
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Ferris State University, Michigan
Dr. Roberta C. Teahen was appointed Associate Provost for Academic
Affairs in 2007. Her responsibilities include leading Ferris State University in
accreditation, assessment, compliance and evaluation efforts. Dr. Teahen
serves as campus coordinator and liaison for Higher Learning Commission
activities. Additionally, she oversees the Human Subjects Review
Committee, Graduate and Professional Council, FerrisConnect, and Perkins
Grant processes. Dr. Teahen also serves as Director for the Ferris State
University Doctorate in Community College Leadership (DCCL) program and
as a member of the faculty in that program.
Dr. Teahen spent nearly five years serving as Dean of Extended Learning at
Ferris State University. Prior to coming to Ferris, Dr. Teahen spent most of
her career at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) in Traverse City, Mich., from which she retired in
2001 with Faculty Emeritus status. During her 25 years at NMC, she served in varied roles, including
Business Faculty, Business Division Chair, Co-Founder and Director of the Center for Business and
Industry, Dean of Occupational Studies, Director of Student Development and Learning Services, and
Dean of Workforce Development.
Dr. Teahen is an active member of the peer review corps with the Higher Learning Commission, where
she serves as a frequent team chair, a current member of the Institutional Actions Council, an
assessment mentor, and a frequent peer review trainer, among other roles. She was the first
coordinator of the highly successful Trends in Occupational Studies conference that attracts about 700
Michigan community college educators annually, developed Leadership for Learning institutes for the
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, and worked with the Michigan Virtual Learning
Collaborative in the development of online programs. She has served on a wide variety of professional
committees and work groups throughout her career.
Dr. Teahen earned a Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education, a Master of Arts degree in Business
and Distributive Education, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Distributive Education from
Michigan State University. She also holds an Associate of Arts degree from Port Huron Junior College
(now St. Clair Community College). Her professional interests include learning in its varied perspectives,
including a focus on designing effective learning systems and the learning-centered college.
PANEL PRESENTERS
 Dr. Fiona Hert, Dean, Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan
Dr. Fiona Hert is Dean for the School of Workforce Development at Grand Rapids Community
College. Previously, she was Associate Dean of Health, Hospitality and Criminal Justice Programs
at GRCC. Prior to work in Michigan, Fiona served as Area Manager for Northwest Services
Council, a workforce education agency for adults and young adults in Washington State. In this
role, she also administered the two county wide AmeriCorps programs. She brings her
background in administration and teaching of over fifteen years in early childhood
education/family life at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington and her experience as a
Maternity Support Services coordinator for at risk families. Dr. Hert completed her
undergraduate education at New York University, her Masters in Social Work at the University of
Washington and her doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University. Fiona
believes strongly in the creativity and potential of community based partnerships to improve the
lives and outcomes for individuals, families, and organizations.
 Mr. Dustin Heurman, Lead Faculty Criminal Justice, Lake Land College, Illinois
Dustin Heuerman is the lead Criminal Justice Instructor at Lake Land College, a mid-sized community
college in East Central Illinois. At the College, he is an active member of the College’s Behavioral
nd
Intervention Team and Student Conduct Review Board. Dustin is a 2 year doctoral student in
Community College Leadership at Ferris State University and received his M.S. and B.S. degrees in
Criminology/Criminal Justice from Indiana State University. Additionally, Dustin is an active member of
the American Association of Community Colleges and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences with a
focus on community colleges. Prior to his tenure at Lake Land College, Dustin served in the law
enforcement field as a deputy sheriff, plain-clothes narcotics investigator, and Chief of Police.
 Dr. Jim Sawyer, Provost and Senior Vice President for the Learning Unit, Macomb
Community College, Michigan
During his eleven years at Macomb, Dr. Sawyer also served as the Dean of Engineering and
Advanced Technology and Vice Provost for Career Programs. Jim has been the principle
investigator on two successful National Science Foundation grants and has led numerous
academic program modifications and student success initiatives.
Prior to joining Macomb Community College, Jim held managerial and leadership positions in
engineering, quality, and operations management at companies such as Chrysler, Dana, Ancor
and New Haven Foundry. Jim is an American Society for Quality Certified Quality Engineer and his
education background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence
Technological University, Master of Science in Administration and Doctor of Education in
Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University.
 Dr. Stan Sidor, President, South Piedmont Community College, North Carolina
Prior to accepting the presidency at South Piedmont, Dr. Sidor was Provost of the Advanced
Technology Center Campus and Associate Vice President, College of Engineering Technology and
Occupational Programs at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Florida. Stan became
involved in education to make a difference in individuals’ lives. His primary responsibility and
vocation is to help students understand their abilities, their potential, and their responsibility to
actively engage in the world around them.
Dr. Sidor earned bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science-Sociology and Business
Administration (major in Managerial Accounting) from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He has a master’s degree in Manufacturing Administration from Western Michigan University
and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Donald Green
Vice President and Dean for Extended and International Operations,
Ferris State University, Michigan
Don Green serves Ferris State University as the Vice President and Dean for
Extended and International Operations.
His principal areas of work are the development of unique technology,
science and business related degree programs for future labor markets,
improving educational services to non-traditional student populations
through extended sites and distance technology, and the University’s
community outreach.
Recent initiatives include an Entrepreneurship Institute and an Academic Incubator. He believes higher
education must become more accessible and entrepreneurial.

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