A national search for the next president of Macomb Community College has begun. James O. Sawyer IV, Ed.D., who has been Macomb’s president since July 1, 2017, is retiring at the conclusion of the college’s fiscal year, June 30, 2026.

The executive search profile, which outlines qualifications, and information about the application process are available at www.macomb.edu/presidential-search.  The deadline for applications is
Jan. 9, 2026, to RH Perry & Associates, a search firm engaged by the college’s board of trustees that specializes in assisting higher education institutions identify and select leadership. 

“I know I speak for the entire board of trustees when I say that it has been gratifying to work with
Dr. Sawyer in so many meaningful ways,” said Katherine Bracey Lorenzo, chair, Macomb Community College Board of Trustees. “The board of trustees looks forward to identifying a visionary candidate who will take Dr. Sawyer’s good work to the next level.” 

As part of the process, the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees has appointed a 14-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee consisting of two members of the college’s board of trustees, three members representing community organization partners, one student, one member of the college’s senior leadership and seven college staff members representing different employee groups. The role of the committee is to review and evaluate applications based on the criteria outlined in the executive search profile, recommending finalists for consideration by Macomb’s full board of trustees.

RH Perry & Associates will be working to recruit a robust and diverse pool of qualified applicants, assisting the advisory committee with the initial evaluation process and conducting in-depth due diligence of candidates under consideration.

Macomb Community College Presidential Search Advisory Committee members

Board of Trustees Representatives
Katherine Bracey Lorenzo

Chair, Presidential Search Advisory Committee
Chair, Macomb Community College Board of Trustees 

Shelley Vitale
Vice Chair 

Community Organization Representatives
Mark Jansen
President and Chief Executive Officer, First State Bank 

Michael DeVault
Superintendent, Macomb Intermediate School District 

Stacy Ziarko
President and Chief Executive Officer, Connect Macomb

Student
Dillon Hardeman 

College Staff
John Bowman
Apple Support Specialist, Information Technology 

Lori Chapman
Professor, Math 

Anthony Green
Lieutenant, Macomb College Police 

Lisa Johnston
Administrative Assistant, Marketing 

Anthony Hackett
Grounds Foreman, Facilities and Maintenance 

Leslie Kellogg
Provost and Vice President, Academic and Workforce Education 

Marie Pritchett
Dean, Arts and Science 

Edward Rickard
Adjunct Instructor, Math

About Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is about transforming lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment and economic development. Macomb grants the largest number of associate degrees in Michigan and is the largest community college in the state. The college provides programming for youth through seniors, including early college for high school students, university transfer and career preparation programs, workforce education, continuing education and certification, and a wide range of enrichment opportunities encompassing arts, culture and lifelong learning.

Contact: Jeanne Nicol, executive director, Communications and Public Relations, nicolj@macomb.edu, 586.445.7204