The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has appointed LCC President, Dr. Brent Knight, to its Board of Trustees.
“On behalf of AACC, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Knight to our board,” said AACC’s president and CEO, Walter G. Bumphus.
The Board of Directors acts on behalf of the institutional members to create and maintain a vision for AACC, and to ensure the organization adheres to appropriate standards of performance. He will serve on the audit and finance committee.
As the sixth president of LCC, Knight began his journey with the college in 2008, and has made student success his No. 1 priority. He has worked to make tuition affordable, been an advocate for responsible student loan debt, expanded recruitment efforts, and brought cutting-edge technology to LCC campuses so students can more easily achieve their educational goals.
Knight’s many accomplishments include his development of strong partnerships, including those with Delta Air Lines, Lincoln Electric and Google. The Early College at LCC for students entering their junior year of high school has received a national ranking for its rigorous academics and accelerated college-style class schedule.
In addition, Knight’s visual transformation of the Downtown Campus is highlighted by its arts culture and inviting atmosphere, which includes a kiosk featuring languages from across the globe meant to be inclusive and welcoming to all. Knight’s emphasis on “ambient learning,” the process of people absorbing information from their environment, is seen throughout campus with educational displays on the walls in classrooms and hallways. The beauty of the campus is so prominent Knight was awarded the “Mayor’s Cup for Civic Excellence” in 2015.
LCC Trustee, Robert Proctor said, “The LCC family is very proud that President Brent Knight has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The AACC recognizes what the LCC family and the communities served by Lansing Community College have long recognized and appreciated about President Knight. Dr. Knight is a visionary leader whose laser-like focus has been on creating an environment for the development of teaching and learning excellence that is committed to student success. There is no doubt that President Knight will make a significant contribution to the AACC.”
Knight holds a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s degree in business and community college teaching, both from Western Michigan University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ferris State University, and was a visiting scholar in strategic planning at the University of Michigan. He received an honorary doctorate of public service from Ferris State University in 2012 and is in his 28th year as a community college president.
