News

Southwestern Michigan College saw its largest enrollment in nine years this fall and again ranks in the top five in the state for increased enrollment headcount.

In his Oct. 14 President’s Report to the Board of Trustees, Dr. Klint Pleasant said the 2,321 students officially on the books represent an increase of 83 compared to Fall 2025’s total of 2,238. In comparison, about half of Michigan's community colleges unfortunately experienced declining enrollments for Fall 2026.

“This is an exciting report to give,” Pleasant said. “This is the largest fall enrollment we’ve had in the past nine years. It’s also the fifth straight fall-to-fall enrollment increase. I’m told that might be an all-time record, and it certainly hasn’t been done in the last 20 years. We’re up 907 in contact hours (from 24,995 in Fall 2025 to 25,902 in Fall 2026). We’re up eight students in housing,” with 440 students living on campus in three residence halls.

Referring to dual-enrollment numbers with area high schools, which climbed 62, from 564 to 626, Vice President for the Student Experience Dr. Katie Hannah said, “We have continued to grow enrollment from outside of Cass County” in Berrien and Van Buren counties.

"SMC's continued enrollment gains and subsequent additional revenue demonstrate that we are in great financial shape, especially compared with other institutions across the Midwest who are weighing program cuts, layoffs, faculty attrition and other financial challenges,” said Board Chair Tom Jerdon.

"In a world of higher education enrollment volatility, our numbers -- headcount, contact hours, and revenue -- are strong,” Pleasant continued. “In fact, they are as strong as they have been in the last nine years.  A huge thanks to Dr. Hannah and her entire team, as these results point to a total team effort.  But it also underscores the overall SMC brand, as our core mission is what takes place in the classroom and faculty are equally responsible for these strong numbers.  We also had a tremendous effort from our coaches and athletic administrators as our sports rosters are robust and healthy.  We will celebrate these great numbers and then continue to work on the plan for fall of 2027.  With record enrollment, strong fiscal management and quality instruction in the classroom all centered around an excellent student experience...it is a great time to be at SMC."      

In other business, trustees awarded service pins to five employees.

Hailey Sheets, chair of the Communications Department from 2014-24, accepted her 15-year pin from Trustee Skip Dyes.

Sheets earned her 2004 bachelor’s degree in English literature from St. Mary’s College, where her daughter is a freshman elementary education major. She also holds a 2006 master’s degree from Ball State University.

Sheets joined the SMC faculty in 2011 and teaches freshman English, fiction writing and British literature. Her research interests include the Victorian period, multi-modal composition and AI literacy.

Since 2021, she has served as co-advisor of Phi Theta Kappa honor society with her sister, Director of Library Services Colleen Welsch. PTK oversees the Roadrunner Kitchen food pantry. Sheets’ husband of 22 years, a banker, is an adjunct business instructor.

Trustee Todd Obren presented a 10-year pin to current Communications Department Chairman Cody Miller, who started at SMC as a student in 2005.

Dean of Arts, Science and Business Robin Shipkosky introduced Sheets and Miller, who went from tutor to teacher. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and mathematics from Indiana University South Bend, followed by a master’s in English with a specialty in creative writing.

Miller teaches freshman composition, poetry and creative fiction. His mother and sister attended SMC. A niece is a current student, as is his wife as she transitions in the nursing program from LPN to RN.

Trustee Beth Cripe gave a 10-year pin to Daryl Harris, who joined SMC in 2016 as a network specialist. His current role is lead technical support specialist. Prior to the college, Harris spent 16 years as a technology assistant at Stanley Clark School in South Bend.

Chief Information Officer Mick Valeris said Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in programming from Ball State University, his first assignment as a student worker being clearing a jammed punch-card machine.

Harris, born in Denver while his father was in the Air Force, has been married for 42 years, with two adult children — a son who is a data scientist in Mishawaka and a daughter who is an Indianapolis veterinarian. He flies radio-controlled aircraft and designs award-winning cosplay outfits as hobbies.

Mollie Grabemeyer collected her 10-year pin from Vice Chairman Tracy Hertsel.

Grabemeyer began taking SMC classes in 1996 when her father, Harold, was an instructor who also garnered a 10-year pin. She earned an associate degree in graphic design and joined the college in 2016 as an employee.

She was the Student Activity Center evening supervisor for nine years before transitioning to nursing success and retention coach last year. Grabemeyer holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and holistic health from Western Michigan University and is pursuing a master’s degree in youth development from Michigan State University.

Grabemeyer is currently an academic advisor and nursing and health services coordinator.

Career Development Manager Melinda Kedik-Stockwell was awarded a five-year pin by Trustee Becky Moore.

She recently began teaching a business professionalism course, Hannah said. She also facilitates workshops to help students confidently navigate job searches. She expanded the Futures Fest from a majors-focused event to a broader career exploration and engagement experience with employers and community partners.

Kedik-Stockwell earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and anticipates completing her master’s degree next spring in organizational management and development from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her two daughters both graduated from SMC.

The board acknowledged 11 donations totaling $29,300 to the SMC Foundation and accepted two gifts to the college amounting to $300.

The next regular trustee meeting takes place Nov. 11 in Room 134 of the Niles Campus.