Grand Rapids Community College Marks Historic Presidential Investiture

The 3 p.m. event will draw a cross-section of the West Michigan community, including higher education partners, local employers, and students. Dr. DeRionne Pollard, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, is slated as the featured speaker, while Guillermo Cisneros of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will emcee the proceedings. The program includes traditional academic elements, such as a procession in regalia and the formal presentation of the presidential medallion, which signifies the authority and responsibilities of the office.

Rogalski’s path to the presidency reflects the mission she now oversees. A first-generation college student who initially left her studies before returning as a mother, she brings over 25 years of experience in community college leadership. Before her appointment at GRCC, she served as vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Her tenure in Grand Rapids has prioritized expanding student access and strengthening regional economic partnerships. As the college looks toward its future, the GRCC Foundation will mark the occasion with a donation in her honor, aimed at bolstering student support.