Campaign Phone
231-730-3891
Candidate Information
I have been a resident of Muskegon County since 1979. I retired from Muskegon Community College in 2024 after a long career in higher education as a counselor and administrator. I am a first-generation college graduate who believes in the power of education to change lives and communities for the better.
My career in higher education has been rooted in service to Muskegon Community College and the greater Muskegon area. Student success, community partnerships, and institutional leadership shaped my work. Over 35 years, including 28 at MCC, I served as a counselor/advisor, department chairperson, VP for Academic Affairs, and Provost and Chief Student Services Officer.
I have deep institutional knowledge, a lifetime commitment to MCC, and meaningful connections to local students, families, and employers. My leadership included budgeting, contract negotiations, crisis management, and building partnerships. I am a strong advocate for students at every stage of their journey.
I have earned a BA, MA, and PhD in Higher Education Leadership.
1. Access and success: MCC’s strategic plan focuses on improving student outcomes and preparing students for success after college. As trustee, I would review progress updates, ask focused questions about challenges, and support strategies that help students reach their goals.
2. Fiscal responsibility: I would work with the Board to hold the president accountable for a responsible annual budget, careful spending, and long-term sustainability.
3. Regional cooperation: MCC must collaborate with community partners and other colleges to align programs to meet student and regional needs while avoiding duplication. I would strengthen MCC’s role by staying informed, listening closely, and advocating where the college can make the greatest impact.
Community colleges should serve as centers of opportunity for the whole community, not only enrolled students. While transfer preparation and workforce training are central to the mission, community colleges also open doors for people who might not otherwise have access to higher education. MCC supports lifelong learning for everyone from high school students to senior citizens while offering cultural, educational, athletic, and community programs that enrich the greater Muskegon area. At its best, a community college is a trusted public resource, a gathering place, and a beacon of hope, helping individuals, families, and the region grow stronger together.
Campaign Phone
231-894-0909
Age
57
Candidate Information
Shon Cook has been a practicing attorney in West Michigan for 32 years. She has served on numerous boards for non-profits throughout the years and held many leadership positions with the State Bar of Michigan, the Muskegon Bar Association and the Family Law Section. She has three adult children and is a gardening and horse enthusiast. She is also the owner of Legal Grounds Coffee House in Norton Shores.
I have been on the Board for six years. I am a practicing attorney in the Muskegon area. I bring a perspective as an employer and as a business owner of what our community is seeking in support of the college. We have an active and informed Board that cares deeply about the college. Our President is a leader with vision and puts student's success first. I value education that is accessible and affordable to a community and that puts student's success as the main priority. I also believe that we are stewards of a valuable resource and that we must continue to preserve the college's infrastructure and be mindful of how resources are allocated.
1. Community awareness. Despite huge efforts by highly talented individuals, I think that the quality of education at MCC and the affordabilty of education at the college is still not valued and recognized at the level it should be. I will continue to promote and discuss MCC every chance I get!
2. Student Enrollment. Admissions rates and hourly contact are rising, due to enomrous efforts of so many amazing people at the college. As a Board member and an employer I want to continue to reccommend the college and it resources and look to hire MCC graduates.
3. College infrastructure. The college has a long term plan to maintain and improve the college's facilities that I fully support.
Community colleges provide a workforce for the community and a place that is supportive and safe for learning. They also create enormous positive impact for the community.
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