Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg, former President of the Van Andel Institute Graduate School, has been named as GRCC Interim President, replacing Vice President for Finance and Administration Lisa Freiburger in the role.
Freiburger has acted as interim president since March 14, filling in after Charles Lepper departed in connection to his job search with the Madison Area Technical College. Her tenure was set to expire with her retirement from the school later this month.
At a GRCC Board of Trustees meeting on May 5, Board Chair Brandy Lovelady Mitchell introduced the motion to appoint Triezenberg to the position upon Freiburger’s retirement.
Mitchell said she wanted to “acknowledge (Freiburger’s) legacy as a whole, but also in particular the ways that she has led her team… to keep the boat afloat,” before turning her attention to the future.
“One of the things and values that we had in terms of getting us to our national search for our long-term president was trying to identify someone who understands the jewel of what GRCC is… wanting to make sure we called someone in that understands that and can continue to create the right conditions for… our long-term president,” Mitchell said.
In an email to the GRCC community, the Board of Trustees said they “are confident that Dr. Triezenberg’s experience, leadership and deep ties to West Michigan will serve our college community well during this interim period.”
The board voted unanimously to approve Triezenberg to the position.
“Dr. Triezenberg’s experience and strong West Michigan roots make him uniquely suited to lead GRCC during this important time,” stated Mitchell in a press release sent out after the meeting. “His leadership will help ensure continuity and continued progress as we search for the college’s next president.”
Triezenberg will begin his tenure on May 12 as GRCC begins its search for a permanent president this summer.
