Mid Michigan College Names New President

After a National search and an intensive interview process, Mid Michigan College enthusiastically welcomes Tim Hood as its seventh president. He will formally begin his career at Mid in July.

Hood is currently the president of Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. He came to Highland as Vice President of Academics and Chief Academic Officer in 2011, and he was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2014 before becoming president in 2015.

“We are excited to welcome Tim to our College community and feel confident in his ability to lead Mid, even during today’s challenging circumstances,” said Doug Jacobson, Mid Michigan College Board of Trustees chair. “Tim’s breadth of experiences, his passion for skilled training and workforce development, and his love for rural areas and community colleges make him an exceptional fit for Mid.”

Prior to serving at Highland, Hood was the Vice President of Instruction/CAO at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois, after being promoted from Dean of Corporate Training and Community Education. As CAO, he was elected to serve as President of the Illinois Community College Chief Academic Officers organization, representing all 48 community colleges in the state.

Hood’s career in higher education began as a faculty member and workforce development trainer. In these capacities, he served for nine years at Madisonville Community College in Kentucky, before accepting a faculty position at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for four years.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communication with a public relations specialization from SIUC, and a Master of Science degree in organizational communication, also from SIUC. He is now finishing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in organizational communication.

“I am so honored and excited regarding the opportunity to serve as the next president of Mid Michigan College,” said Hood. “Mid’s legacy as a premier college, the excellence of those who serve there, and the beauty of the region have collectively peaked my enthusiasm to live and work there.”

Having always been strongly connected with community partners, Hood serves on the Workforce Connection Board, the Northwest Illinois Economic Development Board, the Greater Freeport Partnership Board, and the Region 1 Planning Council. He is also a member of the Executive Committee for the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents.

The parents of five daughters and grandparents of three children, Tim and Val Hood are proud that each of their daughters have and will have successfully completed community college degrees before transferring to universities. All of their family and extended family members enjoy outdoor activities, and prefer to live in and contribute to the livelihood of rural communities.

Hood will begin his tenure at Mid Michigan College under extraordinary circumstances, as the college strengthens its safety and preparedness measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, Mid continues to define itself, not by the external challenges it faces, but by its responsiveness and resolve to offer extraordinary and affordable educational opportunities to students across the state. The good work of the college and the achievements of its students draw from its 55-year legacy as an essential community partner. As its next president, Hood will work to ensure that Mid advances into the future with the same commitment to excellence.