Lessons in Leadership Speakers Series: “Using Data to Inform Growth and Student Success”

Dr. Scott Behrens

Dr. Scott Behrens, the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Monroe County Community College, will present “Using Data to Inform Growth and Student Success.”

His talk, which is free and open to the public, kicks off the Muskegon Community College President’s Speakers Series: Lessons in Leadership, which collectively will feature individuals selected by MCC President Dale K. Nesbary for their impact on the growth of his professional career. Dr. Nesbary is retiring next summer after 44 years in higher education, research, and public policy work, including 13 years as the college president.

“The Lessons in Leadership series is intended ​to allow colleagues from education, the public sector, business, and the community to share their ideas on the state of higher education, offering solutions to issues that we face daily,” explained Nesbary. “Their solutions will take the COVID-19 pandemic into account as well as other pressing issues with which they are familiar.”

At Monroe County CC, Behrens is focused on creating a data informed culture of enrollment and student success.  He has been influential in community college organizations as a presenter at both SACS and AACC conventions on college success initiatives and for his development of new statistical techniques leading to significant gains in student enrollment retention and completion.

He earned his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Florida and a Master’s in School Psychology from the University of Arizona.

Behrens earned tenure as chair of the Education Department at Adrian College, where he was recognized by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Harry Wong for his work in the preparation of Michigan’s future teachers.  As the inaugural Dean of Academic Affairs at the new campus of South University in Novi MI, Behrens was responsible for the development of all academic departments, programs and regional accreditation.

In 2012, he returned to his community college roots, first as Dean of Academics at the Hillsborough Community College Brandon Campus and then as Vice President of Academics at Northwest Florida Community College. At the latter, he reliably led initiatives to enhance student access and completion while working with community members to enhance college community relationships and college local and state funding opportunities.

Behrens met his wife Susan, a public-school teacher, while performing in community theater and married her several times on stage before marrying her “in real life.” He has three grown stepsons who reside in the Detroit area and a seven-year-old daughter.

For more information, contact Kristin Tank, Dean of Marketing and Communications, at (231) 777-0559 or at kristin.tank@muskegoncc.edu.