Grand Rapids Community College’s newly appointed president, Kathryn Rogalski, is set to begin her presidency on March 2 with a three-year term.
Current interim President, Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg, will assist and support Rogalski throughout this leadership transition until March 31. From there, she will be under the guidance of the GRCC Board of Trustees, who will help her finalize campus decisions and usher her in as the new President.
According to her contract that The Collegiate obtained via the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Rogalski will earn an annual salary of $285,000 per academic year with annual benefits and compensation, including a $20,000 housing stipend, a one-time $10,000 payment for each annual evaluation in which the board rates the President’s performance as “effective” or “highly effective.” Along with annual contributions totaling $17,500 for a retirement plan, a $7,200 automobile allowance, and an annual payment of $30,000 for non-reimbursable expenses.
Under the terms of the agreement, a one-year extension will be granted by July 1, 2027. Subsequent one-year extensions will follow, unless the Board provides written notice by Dec. 31 of any academic year to not extend the contract. The term “academic year,” as used in the agreement, means that it will be the same as the fiscal year of the college, which commences on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year.
Each extension shall result in a new three-year term, which will be documented as “Renewal Terms.” The college will also send a one-time payment of $15,000 to cover reasonable moving and relocation expenses.
In addition, Rogalski will receive an added $80,000 of term life insurance under the college’s Professional, Management, and Administration (PMA) Employee Handbook. The college will also cover the cost of all executive physical services done by the president with Corewell Health.
