The Community Foundation for Muskegon County (CFMC) presented its first-ever Impact Award to Muskegon Community College President Dale K. Nesbary on Oct. 7 during the organization’s 2021 Annual Gathering inside the Frauenthal Center.
The Impact Award recognizes a community leader who or an organization that has gone above and beyond to advance educational attainment, foster a dynamic local economy, enhance community trust and promote prosperity for all in Muskegon County.
In addition to a beautiful commemorative glasswork created by Grand Rapids-based artist John Riepma, the Impact Award winner receives $5,000 to be used to support work that aligns with the Community Foundation’s strategic plan.
“I am honored and humbled to have been named the inaugural recipient of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Impact Award,” said Nesbary, who has been the MCC president since 2009. “The recognition tells me that what we have been striving to achieve at Muskegon Community College has had the broad regional impact for which we have hoped. I thank the Community Foundation for Muskegon County for the honor, and I thank the Board of Trustees of Muskegon Community College for having the persistence and vision to lead during these challenging and exciting times.”
“We are excited to introduce the new Impact Award at this year’s Annual Gathering,” said Todd Jacobs, Community Foundation president/CEO. “The award celebrates an individual who contributes to the success of community members and local businesses and who embodies the values of building hope and opportunity, fostering collaboration, and promoting an inclusive community. The first Community Foundation Impact Award recipient is most deserving.”
During Nesbary’s 13-year tenure at MCC, the college has secured more than $50 million in funding to support the most ambitious upgrade of its facilities in the past half century. MCC was a catalyst in downtown Muskegon’s resurgence with its decision to locate its Sturrus Technology Center, Rooks|Sarnicola Entrepreneur Institute, and Lakeshore Fab Lab there.
MCC has been named an Achieving the Dream Leader College, and best community college in Michigan by both BestColleges.com (2017) and intellegent.com (2021) based upon standard student success and related metrics. In 2021, intelligent.com ranked MCC as the 19th Best Community College in the Nation.
A native of Twin Lake, MI, Nesbary completed his Ph.D. in Law, Policy and Society at Northeastern University in Boston, a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He has published three books and over 30 academic papers primarily in the areas of finance, technology and policing and has keynoted numerous state and national conferences
Prior to MCC, Dr. Nesbary served as Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs at Adrian College and as Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at Oakland University. Additionally, he served as Research Director and Technical Services Director with the Boston Police Department, as well as leadership positions with City of Boston central administration. He also held positions with the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver, Colorado, and the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency.
He is Immediate Past Chair of the Michigan Community College Association Board of Directors, Chair of the Trinity Health System Michigan Regional Board, Member of the Lakeshore Advantage Board, and sits on numerous other national, state, and local boards. He continues to serve as a member of the Trinity Health System National Chairs and Vice Chairs Committee as well as the Association of Community Colleges Trustees Awards Committee.
Dr. Nesbary has served on multiple national boards including the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) Board, the American Council on Education Fellows Executive Board, the American Association of Community Colleges Workforce Commission and is a silver life member of the NAACP.
He resides in Muskegon, Michigan with his wife of 42 years, Connie. He is the proud father of two adult children, Nicole and Matthew.