President Kavalhuna announces his departure to become President at WMU

Henry Ford College (HFC) President Russ Kavalhuna, J.D. announced today that he will leave HFC at the end of June to become the President of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.

“I will always treasure my time as the president of Henry Ford College. I love this College because my teammates and our students inspire me,” said Kavalhuna. “It has been a true honor to work in public education here in Dearborn, to lift and change lives for the better. Henry Ford College will always be special to me because I witnessed my teammates accomplish so much, together. I am committed to working with the Board of Trustees, the Cabinet and other campus leaders, and our community to ensure a smooth transition.”

Extensive accomplishments built on teamwork

President Kavalhuna has accomplished a great deal during his tenure at HFC. Most recently, he worked with colleagues and community and civic leaders to secure $90 million for the development of the new Southeast Michigan Student Success Center (SEMSSC). This included a $10 million grant from the state and $6 million from Wayne County. The College’s largest-ever infrastructure project, the SEMSSC will transform the HFC student experience as a new front door both to the College and to regional education leaders. It will connect students to multi-dimensional success resources in powerful ways, and will serve the needs of students throughout the region.

Kavalhuna led the College’s most-focused strategic planning process, which made student success the College’s highest priority, and also the core of the College’s mission and the guiding principle in all College endeavors. One of the many positive results was an increase in the College’s IPEDS graduation rate from 6% to more than 25% during his tenure.

Kavalhuna also led the acquisition of nearly $7 million in state funding for renovations to the Technology Building, where students learn to repair electric vehicles and build sustainable housing. He also delivered a $23 million campus transformation that pays for itself in energy savings and cuts the carbon footprint in half, while also partnering with industry to train workers in similar projects across the nation, which garnered a $3 million federal investment. Governors of both parties appointed Kavalhuna to boards and commissions across the region and state. He took a leading role in securing a $2.1 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to develop a new Middle College Trade School Program, and an additional grant of $5 million to support student-success initiatives. In total, more than $31 million in grants came to the College during Kavalhuna’s tenure.

Kavalhuna championed an environment of teamwork, trust, respect, and collaboration. He communicated regularly and openly with faculty, staff, students, Board members, community members, and College partners, and was known for his transparency and open-door policy. As a result, HFC saw no campus disruptions and sustained its progress, despite unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, national racial unrest, and both national and international political disruption.

He mentored and supported new leaders and the work of many teams and initiatives across the College. Insistent on personally seeing the student experience, he personally mentored a student each semester. He worked tirelessly to remove barriers and support programs and services to make sure that all students could have access to a high-quality HFC education.

Board gratitude

HFC Board of Trustees Chair Adel Mozip extended heartfelt congratulations to President Kavalhuna on this next chapter of his career. “Russ has been an outstanding president for our College, exemplifying leadership and unwavering dedication. He has been an exceptional leader who fostered collaboration, upheld rigorous standards, and championed the wellbeing of students and employees. As Board Chair, I have deeply valued the strong bond of trust we have built. On behalf of the entire Board, I wish Russ and his family happiness and success. I know he will continue his journey of higher education leadership with integrity and dedication.”

Mozip said that he also appreciated the positive relationship between Kavalhuna and Dr. Glenn Maleyko, the Superintendent of the Dearborn Public Schools. “Because of our unique status as both a P-12 and College district, the relationship among the senior leaders is valuable for students and our community. Russ and Glenn have worked very well together, ensuring a seamless connection between the two organizations.”

Next steps

The Board of Trustees will soon announce an Interim President. The Board is committed to transparency and will include broad stakeholder groups as it determines the path forward for the College presidency. Further information about the leadership transition will be made public as soon as it is available.

Media inquiries may be referred to Vice President Rhonda DeLong, rdelong@hfcc.edu