Grand Rapids Community College appoints Juan Olivarez as interim president

Sentinel Staff
·1 min read

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids Community College is turning to a former leader of the college to serve as its interim president.

The GRCC board of trustees appointed Juan Olivarez to serve in the interim role during a meeting Monday, May 16. Olivarez was GRCC’s eight president, serving from 1999-2008. He was named president emeritus in 2018.

GRCC President Emeritus Juan Olivarez, who has been appointed as interim president at GRCC.
GRCC President Emeritus Juan Olivarez, who has been appointed as interim president at GRCC.

“Dr. Olivarez knows this college because he helped shape it to become the success it is today,” said David Koetje, chairperson of the board of trustees. “He has long been respected for his leadership here at GRCC and in our greater community.

“His experience and vision will ensure this college continues moving forward at full speed while we select our next president.”

GRCC is in the process of selecting a firm to guide a national search to replace Bill Pink, who was chosen as the next Ferris State University president, effective July 1. The board hopes to have a new president selected by the end of the year.

GRCC is in the process of selecting a firm to guide a national search to replace Bill Pink, who was chosen as the next Ferris State University president, effective July 1. The board hopes to have a new president selected by the end of the year.
GRCC is in the process of selecting a firm to guide a national search to replace Bill Pink, who was chosen as the next Ferris State University president, effective July 1. The board hopes to have a new president selected by the end of the year.

Olivarez was an educator with Grand Rapids Public Schools for more than 20 years before joining GRCC as dean of institutional research in 1991. He became the first ever Hispanic president of any Michigan college or university when he took the top spot at GRCC in 1999.

As president, he worked to increase access to a quality college education and cultivated student-serving partnerships with local businesses, public entities, and nonprofit organizations.

“GRCC is such a special place for me, and I’ve been proud to have stayed connected over the years,” Olivarez said. “I’m excited to be able to come back, work with this strong team and ensure the work of this college continues without missing a beat.”

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Grand Rapids Community College appoints Juan Olivarez as interim president