Kellogg Community College President Dr. Paul Watson recently announced changes within two vice presidential positions at the College, effective Feb. 13.
Tonya Forbes, formerly Dean of Arts and Sciences, was named Vice President for Instruction. Forbes had been serving in an interim role in the position since April 2022.
Eric Greene, formerly Vice President for Strategy, Relations and Communication, was named Vice President for Communications and Advancement, overseeing a new division that replaces the SRC Division.
Forbes has more than 30 years of experience in community college instruction, beginning her career as a chemistry instructor at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. After teaching for 12 years, Forbes moved into administration at Wake Tech, serving as Department Chair of Natural Sciences, Health and Physical Education, then as Dean of Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering and finally as Associate Vice President of Arts and Sciences.
Forbes received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and her Master of Science Education degree from North Carolina State University. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University, and has completed certifications in Organizational Inclusion and Diversity and ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) Change Management. Forbes was born in Battle Creek, raised in Elkhart, Indiana, and raised four children in North Carolina before returning to Battle Creek.
In her role as Vice President for Instruction, Forbes will oversee the academic programs, faculty and student services related to instruction at the College, including curriculum development; faculty recruitment, development and evaluation; and duties related to the College’s continuing assessment, accreditation and strategic planning processes.
“Ms. Tonya Forbes has served the institution as an effective higher education executive in an interim role, and her poise and experience will continue to be an asset to KCC in this permanent role,” Watson said.
Over the course of his nearly 11 years at KCC, Greene has served in the positions of Vice President for Strategy, Relations and Communications; Chief Communications Officer; Director of Public Information and Marketing; and Adjunct Instructor of Journalism. As a community leader and volunteer in the Battle Creek area, Greene serves as president of the Lakeview School District Board of Education and as a member of the Battle Creek Shelter Board of Directors. Greene also is involved in numerous local organizations, including the Cereal City Sunrise Rotary Club and Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to joining KCC in 2012, Greene spent 19 years as an award-winning journalist and worked for newspapers in Michigan and Montana, including as managing editor of the Battle Creek Enquirer. He grew up in rural Ionia County, graduated from Belding High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Eastern Michigan University. Greene is a longtime marathon runner and lives in Battle Creek with his wife and two sons.
In his role as leader of the new Communications and Advancement Division, Greene will work with KCC leaders to establish and implement growth and communication strategies pursuant to advancing institutional partnerships, community engagement, public relations, philanthropy, scholarships, legislative affairs, alumni engagement and marketing. He will oversee the operations of the KCC Foundation and Marketing and Communications Department while exploring and coordinating new financial resources for the College.
“With the emergence of community engagement as one of our institutional priorities, I believe we can continue this focus of advancement with all KCC constituents,” Watson said. “Additionally, I anticipate increasing our readiness to investigate additional funding opportunities to advance our central mission. I look forward to Vice President Greene’s legislative and communications acumen continuing to be fully utilized.”
For more information about KCC leadership, visit kellogg.edu/leadership.
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