Gary Minyard named as director of Cultural Affairs and Community Engagement at Macomb Community College

Minyard brings 30 years of leadership, education and theater experience

Gary Minyard has been named director of Cultural Affairs and Community Engagement at Macomb Community College, replacing William Wood, who is retiring. Minyard brings 30 years of experience as a cultural affairs executive, an educator and community builder to the college. The position oversees the Macomb Center for Performing Arts, the Lorenzo Cultural Center and the Macomb Center for Retiree Enrichment program.

“I am excited to join the team at Macomb Community College, collaborating to continue the exceptional programming presented annually and developing new enrichment opportunities for the greater community to discover and experience,” said Minyard. “The Macomb Center’s and the Lorenzo Cultural Center’s current programs offer great entertainment and enrichment options that I look forward to building on for years to come.”

Macomb provides a wide range of cultural enrichment opportunities to more than 100,000 individuals annually with programming that supplements educational objectives, spans generations and enriches community life. The Macomb Center for Performing Arts engages the community in a diverse range of cultural and arts experiences, and inspires and encourages artistic expression through education, performance and volunteer opportunities. The Lorenzo Cultural Center provides interactive learning opportunities for all ages, extending student discovery beyond classroom walls and creating multi-faceted experiences for community members to explore the influences and experiences that shape our community’s heritage. The lifelong learning program MORE (Macomb Organization for Retiree Enrichment) presents short, noncredit courses covering a myriad of topics, providing social interaction, cultural enrichment and personal growth.

Minyard comes to Macomb from Dayton Live, a performing arts nonprofit in Dayton, Ohio, where he created dozens of community-based arts initiatives and served as chief creative officer and vice president of education and engagement. During his tenure there, he expanded performing arts experiences for students and pioneered the Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards in Ohio. Minyard also served as an adjunct professor and instructor at the University of Dayton.

Minyard earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in theater in youth and directing from Arizona State University. He is a board member of the Heartland Performing Arts, Inc. and its Midwest Arts Xpo conference and is a graduate of Leadership Dayton’s 2025 class.

About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to nearly 38,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded by community colleges and is one of the largest grantors of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.

Media contact: Rachel LePoudre, APR, 586.445.7271. lepoudrer417@macomb.edu.