KCC FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP

The KCC Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization governed by a 14-member Board of Directors who give unselfishly of their time and talents to ensure all people have the access and opportunity to achieve their educational goals. The Foundation Board meets four times each year (February, May, July and November) from noon-1:30 p.m.

The Foundation’s Committee on Directors actively seeks individuals to serve on the Board who understand and believe in the mission of Kellogg Community College. If you have an interest, please contact Teresa Durham, Executive Director at 269-965-4161.

KCC Foundation Board of Directors

Steve Claywell, Vice Chair

Steve Claywell is the President for the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. In addition to serving on the KCC Foundation Board of Directors, he is the Chair of the KCC Board of Trustees. Steve is a Battle Creek native who graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, served in the U.S. Navy, served on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and is also a Desert Storm Veteran. Steve is very active in the community, currently serving on the International Festival of Lights Committee, the South Central AFL-CIO Labor Council, the Calhoun County Michigan Workforce Development Board, the Kingman Museum Board, the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Board, as Chairman of the Michigan Electrical Employees Healthcare Plan board, as Trustee on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Pension Plan board, and on the Battle Creek Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee and on the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Steve is married with three children.

Matthew A. Davis

Matthew A. Davis is a 1988 graduate of Marshall High School, where he excelled on the gridiron, earning 1st Team All-State Honors and a full athletic scholarship to play football at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1992, and after a stint as the Inter-Collegiate Athletics Strength and Conditioning Coach at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, Matt returned to Marshall and began a career in real estate. He is currently licensed as a Real Estate Broker and is the owner of Real Estate One Rosemary Davis. Professionally, Matt was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the State of Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, where he served eight years, including four years as chairperson. He served two terms as president of the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors and was the 2019 President of the 35,000-member Michigan Realtors. Davis was elected to the Marshall School Board in November 2020 for a six-year term and also serves on the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors as its Chairperson. Matt is a member of Marshall United Methodist Church and is a vocalist in the Worship Band, along with his daughter, Kendall. He is married to Leigh and has two daughters at home, Kendall and Madelyn. Matt was appointed to the KCC Board of Trustees in 2007 to fill a partial term; he won election to the board in 2009 and re-election in 2016 and is currently the longest-serving trustee.

Vivian Aycox Davis

Vivian Aycox Davis has a long history in local education, having worked as a social worker, director of guidance and district test coordinator for Albion Public Schools and as an academic advisor and adjunct instructor for Kellogg Community College. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Vivian is an Albion City Precinct 5 Council Member and she is involved with the National Education Association, Michigan Education Association, Albion Rotary Club, Albion Lions Club, Bohm Theater Board of Directors, Albion Philanthropic Women, Albion Branch of the NAACP and several other organizations. Vivian and her husband, Arthur, have two grown children, Arthian and Adrian; and four grandchildren, Jorden, Logan, Christian and Cameron. Vivian earned a bachelor’s in sociology from Fort Valley State University, a master’s in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University and a master’s in social work administration from Case Western Reserve University and completed graduate studies in educational leadership at Grand Valley State University.

John Dilworth

John Dilworth is a licensed psychologist with a longtime clinical therapy practice in addition to many years as a professor and department chair at Kellogg Community College. John has been an adjunct professor at KCC since 1970 and was the Chair of Social Science from 1997 to 2009. The Army veteran served on the board of the Women’s Center at Western Michigan University and on the Hospice Ethics Committee and currently serves on the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors. John’s family includes his wife, Deborah (deceased); sons Brandon, Jonathan and Gabriel; and grandchildren Lucy, Jack, Malcolm, Debbie, Liam and Henry. John earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University and a master’s degree from WMU and completed doctoral work at WMU.

Eric J. Greene

Eric J. Greene is Vice President for Communications and Advancement at Kellogg Community College. In this capacity, Eric works collaboratively with the President, KCC Foundation Board of Directors and division and department leaders across the College to establish and implement growth and communication strategies that achieve institutional objectives pursuant to partnerships, public relations, fundraising, scholarships, legislative affairs, marketing and crisis management. At KCC, Eric previously served in the positions of Chief Communications Officer, Director of Public Information and Marketing and Adjunct Instructor of Journalism. Prior to joining KCC in 2012, Eric spent 19 years as a journalist, working for newspapers in Michigan and Montana. Eric grew up in rural Ionia County, graduated from Belding High School in 1993 and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to serving on the KCC Foundation Board of Directors, Eric is a longtime marathon runner, serves as President of the Lakeview School District Board of Education and lives in Battle Creek with his wife and two sons.

Joseph Lopez, Secretary

Joseph Lopez was the superintendent of the Branch County Intermediate School District for eight years and Quincy Community Schools for 14 years. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Joe is a member of the Beginnings Care for Life Board and a past member of the Branch County Chamber of Commerce Board. Joe and his wife, Lisa, have three children, Heather, Dominic and Claire; and three grandchildren, Sutter, Nash and Nori. Joseph has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University and an education specialist degree from Wayne State University.

Lisa L. Mueller

Lisa Mueller began her college education at Kellogg Community College, later earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Arts in Science Education from Western Michigan University. She has been an adjunct instructor at KCC and is currently in her 23rd year of teaching at Lakeview High School. Mueller is actively involved in education and is an advocate for students, faculty and staff. At LHS, she holds the position of Instructional Leader for the science department and has been a leader on the School Improvement Team. Mueller has received Excellence in Education and Mentor Teacher awards on numerous occasions. She resides in Battle Creek with her husband, Jim, and enjoys golf, Detroit Lions football and spending time with family and friends. Mueller is also a member of the KCC Board of Trustees with a term running through 2028.

John J.H. Schwarz, M.D.

Dr. John J.H. Schwarz is a retired physician, military veteran and longtime resident of Battle Creek. He has served in several elected positions, including mayor of Battle Creek, state senator and member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He has led and served on numerous local boards and initiatives over a lifetime of public service. Dr. Schwarz graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, earned a medical doctorate from Wayne State University and completed residency training at Harvard University. Dr. Schwarz did not attend Kellogg Community College, but the institution named the Schwarz Science Building after him as a result of his impactful legislative support and donations to KCC over the years.

Andrew Schweitzer, Chair

Andrew Schweitzer is president and chief executive officer at Schweitzer, Inc. Andrew is a 1996 graduate of Pennfield High School and a 2000 graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Management. He has been involved with Schweitzer, Inc. since 1994 and assumed the role of president and CEO in 2019. Andrew is actively involved in the community and has served with area organizations in a variety of capacities, including on the boards of the Battle Creek Family YMCA and Binder Park Zoo; as a contributor to the J. Chris Schweitzer Scholarship Fund held at the Battle Creek Community Foundation and in roles with the Labor Contract Negotiating Committee for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 525. He serves on the board of Battle Creek Unlimited and has been a member of the KCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2013. Andrew is married to Stacy and they have two children.

Richard Scott, CPA, Treasurer

Richard Scott has been the Chief Financial Officer at Kellogg Community College since 2003 and previously was a certified public accountant with Plante & Moran, PLLC, for eight years. In addition to serving as treasurer of the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Rick has been involved in the Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority, American Institute of CPAs, Michigan Association of CPAs, Michigan Community College Business Officers Association Board of Directors, Wattles Park Men’s Club, Riverside Country Club Board of Directors and the Child Advocacy Council of Sexual Assault Services of Calhoun County. Rick and his wife, Kelli, have three children, Catie, Carrie and Frank. Rick graduated from Harper Creek High School and later earned a bachelor’s in accounting from Michigan State University.

Chad Smith

Chad Smith is a certified public accountant and partner at Fisher, Spiegel, Kunkle and Gerber, PLLC. A former school board member, Chad is married to his wife, Dawn, and they have two children, Landon and Kyla. Chad has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

Erick Stewart

As CEO of Lagniappe Community Advocacy Consulting, Erick Stewart is a collaborative and visionary executive, driving significant change on both the organizational and community levels. He has built expertise across small business development, program management, community engagement, and economic development strategies. Since 2002, he has been a board member of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Since 2003, he has served on the Starr Commonwealth Board, Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority Board, and the Bronson Battle Creek Board & Finance\Investment Committee. Since 2004, he has become Chairperson of the Urban League Board of Directors, Minority Health Partnership, and Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to currently serving on the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Erick in the past has served on the Lakeview Schools Educational Foundation Board and supported the establishment of the Urban League Focus Academy.

Paul Watson II, Ed.D., Board President

KCC President Dr. Paul R. Watson II joined the College as the Vice President of Instruction in January 2019, was appointed Interim President in April 2022 and was appointed the College’s seventh President on Jan. 18, 2023. Dr. Watson has 20 years of teaching experience at the secondary and post-secondary levels, plus 10 years of experience as an administrative leader in higher education. He was at Pennsylvania College of Technology from 2011 to 2018 as a director, assistant dean and dean. Prior to that, he was a high school math teacher in Jefferson, New York, and an assistant professor of mathematics at Houghton College in Houghton, New York.

Watson serves as a Higher Learning Commission Peer Reviewer (Peer Corps), as Vice President of the Council of Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges, on the Executive Board of Voices as well as other community task forces and committees. Watson holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management from Drexel University, an M.S. in Teaching & Curriculum from the University of Rochester, an M.S. in Mathematics Education from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Houghton College. He is a certified Labor Relations Leader and has earned a certificate in Organizational Inclusion & Diversity.

Catherine Yates

Catherine Yates has more than 30 years’ experience in banking and currently is Vice President and Commercial Lender at Sturgis Bank and Trust Company. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Catherine is a member of the Homer Community Schools Board of Education, Oaklawn Hospital board, Marshall Manufacturers Association board, and the Marshall Local Development Finance Authority/Downtown Development Authority board. Catherine and her husband, Kevin, have two daughters. Catherine has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

KCC Foundation Staff

Teresa Durham, Executive Director

Teresa M. Durham is executive director of the Kellogg Community College Foundation. Her career at KCC includes positions as a program coordinator in Lifelong Learning and director of the Nonprofit Alliance, a capacity building resource and technical assistance program. Durham is a graduate of Lakeview High School and earned an associate degree and certificate from KCC. She continued her education at Spring Arbor University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business and Master of Business Administration with a concentration in organizational development and change. She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit consulting and civic engagement. Her areas of expertise include board governance, strategic planning, fund development, group facilitation and program and event management. She is a Certified Community Coach and has a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She has sat on numerous community boards and enjoys participating in special events and volunteering for various causes with her family. Durham may be contacted at 269-660-2309.

Tammy Morgan, Scholarship and Event Manager

Tammy Morgan joined the KCC Foundation in the role of Scholarship and Event Manager in 2023. She earned an associate degree from KCC and a BA in Management and Organizational Development and MA of Arts in Organizational Management degrees from Spring Arbor University. Tammy brings over twenty years of higher education and event experience, working with students in the Battle Creek community while she was employed at Spring Arbor University and Western Michigan University. In her spare time, she enjoys homesteading on a farm with her husband, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her twelve grandchildren.

Ann Dwyer, Department Assistant

Ann Dwyer started her college career in high school as a dual enrolled student at Kellogg Community College. After graduating, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Michigan, and then her master’s degree in Journalism at Michigan State University. Ann worked for multiple newspapers and publications in the Ann Arbor area. She is now back to her roots with a focus on assisting students in their own academic pursuits. In her spare time, Ann likes taking on art projects, especially painting, metalsmithing and jewelry design.