Kirtland Community College names new Vice President of Academic Affairs

Recently, Kirtland Community College announced that it had appointed John Thiel as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs. Thiel has spent more than 20 years working for Kirtland, starting in 2001 when he was hired on as a history and humanities instructor.

In an article posted on Kirtland Community College’s website, the school’s President, Dr. Gary Roberts,was quoted about Thiel’s new position, saying, “After reviewing a pool of 27 candidates, we are thrilled that John rose to the top and accepted the position. With a long history of being involved in academic programming at Kirtland, we could not have hoped for a better person to fill this position.” 

John Thiel’s career at Kirtland Community College has been a journey of service to community college education, academic excellence, and professional growth. He began his career at Kirtland as a faculty member in the Arts and Sciences Department, where he gained a reputation for engaging students through his passion for the humanities and history. From there he moved into more leadership roles, where he ended up as the Dean of Arts and Sciences back in 2022.

While serving as the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Thiel was in charge of a large range of academic programs, and also led curriculum development. His leadership style was based in collaboration, and he showed a passion for innovation within the world of education. Both of these perspectives were important aspects in the improvement to the quality of instruction and student learning that the school has been seeing.

Thiel was also quoted about his new position, saying, “It means a lot to me to have been chosen from a national search by my institution. It shows a lot of confidence in my abilities and hopes for the future of the position and my role in the college.”

Thiel’s responsibilities as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs will be to run the school’s academic operations, including student educational services, faculty affairs, accreditation process, instructional quality, and curriculum planning. He will collaborate with the school’s president, community leaders, faculty, and executive leadership to guide the road forward for Kirtland’s academic programming. He will also work as a go-between for the college and state and national agencies.

During his career, Thiel has worked on initiatives that make students the top priority during the academic planning and decision making process. While Thiel was dean, Kirtland grew its dual enrollment partnerships, implemented student success initiatives that increased graduation and retention rates, and increased online course offerings. Thiel is lauded for his thoughtful approach to policy making in the academic sphere, and his commitment to community college education.

Looking back on his career so far, Thiel said, “I have 24 years and counting experience here. Twenty years on faculty, three and half years as dean in Arts and Sciences, so I am invested in this college. I’ve seen Kirtland through many ups and downs and think it has a bright future and hope that by choosing me, the search committee thinks I can play a vital role in that future.”

A timeline of accomplishments during Thiel’s time at Kirtland include being a history and humanities instructor between 2001 and 2021, serving as Faculty Department Chair for Social Sciences and Humanities from 2008 until 2012, serving as Academic Program Curriculum Chair from 2021 through the present, serving as the Dean of Arts and Sciences from 2022 until 2025, being a part of the Michigan Community College Leadership Academy from 2023 until 2024, serving as the President of Michigan Liberal Arts Deans from 2024 through the present, and assisted in the signing of multiple articulation and partnership agreements with various universities such as a partnership with Grand Valley State University for Physician Assistant and a Bachelor in Business Administration, and the Dietetics and Nutrition transfer agreement with Central Michigan University. 

Thiel earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from Michigan State University, and is in the process of attaining his Doctoral Degree in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University. He has also finished professional development and leadership training through the Michigan Community College Association and maintains active membership in several professional groups such as MCCCAO and the American Historical Association.

Kirtland Community College is working to expand its influence in northern Michigan, and Thiel’s appointment is part of the school’s continuing commitment to academic improvement and excellence. He started his role as Vice President of Academic affairs at the start of July, and has been closely working with staff and faculty during this transitional time.  

Thiel was quoted about that transition, saying, “I think one of the things that’s been good about Kirtland in all my time here is that we have been really adaptable. Community Colleges, in general, are usually very adaptable because they serve students who want to transfer to four-year institutions, they serve in trades education, serve area workforce needs, and also in health sciences programs. For that, we really need to keep our finger on the pulse of many agencies. I think because we are small and because we are so plugged into the local area, we have been able to do that well over the years. That’s a goal of mine throughout my time here and into the future. It’s to do whatever I can do to help be one of the main faces of this college in the public as we continue to adapt and grow.”

More information about Kirtland Community College can be found at the school’s website.