HFC names Holly Diamond Vice President of Student Affairs

At its June 13 meeting, the HFC Board of Trustees named Holly Diamond the HFC Vice President of Student Affairs, following a national search. The appointment is effective Friday, July 1. Diamond had served in this role in an interim capacity since February 2021.

“I have immensely enjoyed my time over the years at Henry Ford College. I am genuinely excited to continue to demonstrate my passion to the institution and to lead an incredibly talented, enthusiastic, and committed Student Affairs team as we move forward with the great work that has begun on the new Strategic Plan. I hope to give back to the College as much as it has given to me,” said Diamond, of Howell, who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and her master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Great experience in higher education

Diamond is no stranger to HFC, having been an administrator at the College since 2009. She has served in several leadership roles, including Director of Registration and Records, Director of Enrollment Services, Executive Director of Enrollment Services, and Registrar. As Vice President of Student Affairs, Diamond – who serves as co-chair of the Strategic Enrollment Management Team – oversees the Call Center, Early Alert, Enrollment Services, Orientation, Registration and Records, Veteran Services, Counseling, Advising and Student Success, Athletics, Career Services, Student Activities, and Student Conduct and Compliance/Title IX.

Diamond has spent her entire career in higher education. She began at her alma mater, U-M Dearborn, when she was a student. She worked at U-M Dearborn for eight years, advancing to Director of Orientation and Senior Admissions Counselor. From there, she worked as the Director of the Novi Campus of Walsh College for nearly five years before taking a job as Registrar and Director of Enrollment Services at Lawrence Technological University.

Supporting student success as the #1 priority

She spoke about what attracted her to HFC.

“At that time in my career, I was seeking to broaden my experience so that I could continue to serve students by being a more well-rounded higher education professional. I had worked at small, private institutions and a medium-sized, public institution and felt that I needed to experience the opportunities that a larger community college offered to reach my goals,” said Diamond. “HFC has an excellent reputation for providing a great education while changing the lives of students. As I stepped onto campus for my first interview, I knew that I belonged here. The excitement was evident and the passion that everyone had for teaching and serving students helped me to know that this was the best place for me. I had found a home!”

After nearly a year and a half of having Diamond in an interim role, HFC President Russell Kavalhuna is pleased that she is now a permanent vice president.

“I am immensely proud of the work that Holly has done and how fully she embraces and demonstrates our ethic of teamwork,” said Kavalhuna. “She went through a grueling vetting process and a national search. In that search, there were qualified candidates from across the country, but Holly emerged as the top candidate, and it really wasn’t close. She is known as extremely hardworking, always truthful, and dedicated to our students and their success. Her expertise is invaluable. I have given her some very difficult tasks, and she has succeeded. I am excited to work with Holly as a senior leader who will be instrumental in implementing our strategic plan and leading important teams who help transform student lives.”