Henry Ford College – President Search
Henry Ford College (HFC) Board of Trustees invites applications and nominations for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the next president. This is a pivotal opportunity to champion a diverse, mission-driven institution that provides affordable education, strong community partnerships, and clear pathways to universities, skilled trades, and workforce careers. The College is known for its cultural richness, student success focus, and meaningful community impact.
Deadline: January 30, 2026
Core Competencies and Qualifications
The Board seeks a new president who will:
- Champion Henry Ford College’s commitment to Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ABIDE), fostering a student-centered culture of belonging and success.
- Ensure compliance with Higher Learning Commission standards, promote evidence-based decision-making, and uphold institutional integrity.
- Respect shared governance and union partnerships; demonstrate humility, active listening, and consensus-building across faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.
- Strengthen relationships with K–12 districts, employers, civic organizations, and industry partners; lead fundraising and philanthropic initiatives to expand resources.
- Navigate complex budgeting processes, advocate for resources at state and federal levels, and implement data-driven strategies for institutional sustainability.
- Advance academic excellence, career pathways, and workforce readiness, and embrace emerging technologies, including AI, to modernize curricula and operations.
- Guide transformational initiatives with transparency and empathy; improve operational efficiency, communication, and strategic execution.
HFC is a comprehensive public college serving more than 12,000 students annually in southeast Michigan. It is dedicated to preparing students for a rapidly changing world and workplace by offering more than 150 associate degrees, certificates, career and university transfer programs.
Henry Ford College stands at a pivotal moment of renewal, combining strong community roots with a forward-looking commitment to equity, innovation, and student success. The next president will lead an institution on the rise—equipped with a powerful vision, a revitalized infrastructure, and a dedicated faculty and staff.
Henry Ford College is located in Dearborn, Michigan, a sophisticated suburban city known for its rich cultural offerings and vibrant arts scene. The campus benefits from excellent connectivity, sitting near major highways and less than 20 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a major international hub. It is also conveniently situated less than 30 minutes from downtown Detroit and about 90 minutes from the state capitol in Lansing. Adding to its unique setting, the Rouge River, home to one of the nation’s most successful urban watershed restoration projects, flows near the eastern edge of HFC’s campus, providing a scenic and environmentally significant backdrop.
How to Apply:
Henry Ford College is partnering with Academic Search to find its next president. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by January 30, 2026, and include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and a list of at least five professional references with contact information, including telephone and email, and a note indicating the candidate’s working relationship with each (all in PDF format). References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant. All applications and nominations will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Applications and nominations should be sent electronically and in confidence to [email protected] or through the electronic nomination form https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LPFPD2L. To learn more about HFC, the qualifications sought in the next president, and presidential priorities, please review the full search profile on the Academic Search website.
The expected hiring salary range for the president is $275,000 to $300,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Henry Ford College also offers total rewards with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
The new President is expected to start July 1, 2026.
HFC is an Equal Education and Employment Opportunities, and Non-Discrimination College. The College is committed to equal employment and educational opportunities regardless of a person’s age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender transitioning, height, weight, national origin, disability, perceived disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status, genetics or other characteristic protected by law in all College programs, services, activities, employment and advancement, including and without limitation educational admissions practices, and access to, equitable treatment or employment compensation and benefits as required by state and federal laws.
