Wednesday, March 4, 2026

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Muskegon Community College Board of Trustees reviewed the feedback gathered through a series of focus groups and a county-wide survey conducted in late January. The results included input about proposed facility improvements and a possible proposal to restore the college’s operating millage.

Over 1,500 individual comments were collected as part of a community outreach initiative conducted by a Michigan-based independent research firm. The report included MCC strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for the future. Overall, respondents viewed MCC as affordable, accessible, and closely tied to the needs of Muskegon County residents. The college’s mission, its dedicated faculty and staff, and its role in opening doors for first-generation students, adult learners, and working families were frequently cited as the college’s top strengths. Areas for improvement include aging campus facilities, limited access to on-campus food options, advising capacity, communication, and limited course availability.

Participants indicated strong preliminary support for restoring the operating millage. Overall, 71 percent of community respondents expressed support for a millage restoration that would include an estimated 0.2705-mill increase. Participants shared that they understand the need to update facilities and are generally supportive of MCC’s request; however, they also indicated that additional information would be helpful before a proposal is placed on the ballot.

MCC Board of Trustees Chair Diana Osborn said she is grateful to the participants in the focus groups and to the community members who completed the survey. “It is encouraging to see the high level of trust and satisfaction with Muskegon Community College. Our community members recognize the need to invest in our aging facilities to ensure our services continue for the next 100 years.”

The MCC Board of Trustees will further discuss next steps regarding community feedback and the operating millage proposal at their next meeting in March. After that session, the college will share more information with the community. In the meantime, community members with questions are invited to contact Beth Dick, MCC Chief Financial Officer, at beth.dick@muskegoncc.edu.