Oakland Community College’s chancellor named Notable Leader in Higher Education by Crain’s Detroit Business

Peter Provenzano, the chancellor of Oakland Community College has been named one of the “Notable Leaders in Higher Education” by Crain’s Detroit Business. This is the second time Provenzano has been presented with an award from Crain’s; the first was in 2012 when he was named Crain’s CFO of the Year for his leadership in the local government sector.

Crain’s honors various community leaders for their contributions to the field of higher education, involvement in organizations and nonprofits that enrich the community, significant career accomplishments, and innovative solutions to higher education problems.

As chancellor at Oakland Community College, Provenzano had the vision to move the school toward a more data-informed strategic planning process. This change helped stabilize enrollment at the school during the COVID-19 pandemic while other community colleges were suffering major challenges, losing 860,000 enrollments across the country. Provenzana also created a 10-year capital improvement plan and a new five-year budget in his commitment to invest in infrastructure improvements for the school, such as a new Science and Technology building on the Auburn Hills campus, relocating the Culinary Studies program to Royal Oaks, and consolidating all of the school’s Health Sciences programs to its Farmington Hills location. 

An innovative solution from Provenzano to a new challenge being faced by higher education institutions was to renew Oakland Community College’s strategic plan to better meet the changing needs of its students, while also helping them succeed in their courses and beyond. This new focus allowed the school to pivot easily when the COVID shutdowns took place. Many necessary alterations were already underway at the time, such as a shift to more online classes and related staff training and technologies, as well as some new focuses for the school’s budget. What has resulted from this focus is that Oakland Community College is ahead of the national average when it comes to higher education institutions offering flexible scheduling, online classes, and otherwise being able to meet shifting student demand. Oakland is also able to offer so-called wraparound services to better address the needs of its students, and is on the way to doubling its graduation rates, with an increase of 23% over the past three years. 

Provenzano has shown a commitment to inclusion and equity, student success, and innovation in higher education. He created the OCC Foundation’s Provenzano Innovation Fund, which he personally funds for faculty-led classroom innovation to test out new ideas and concepts for staff and students. Through his leadership Oakland Community College has created the College Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice, championed the faculty-led Open Education Resources initiative which supports students with free and low cost school materials in an attempt to reduce barriers to higher education, which has saved students a total of $1 million so far, and launched the Student Success Fund for students who are experiencing financial emergencies not related to the cost of tuition. 

Not only leading the way at Oakland Community College, Provenzano has also taken on a leadership role partnering in Oakland County’s Oakland80 initiative and has also seen recognition both on the state and local level thanks to his success there.

In an article posted on Oakland Community College’s website, Dave Coulter, Oakland County Executive, talked about the Oakland80 initiative, saying, "When I wanted to boost the number of Oakland County residents who are getting college degrees or certified training, I looked to education leaders like Pete Provenzano to help craft our strategy. The Oakland80 initiative is the result of that collaboration and we're showing significant signs of success."  

Provenzano also has active roles in several other community-based and education organizations, including treasurer of the Royal Oak Civic Foundation, board member of the Detroit Economic Club and the Automation Alley, and vice chair of the Michigan Community College Association.

On his recognition by Crain’s, Provenzano said, “I am humbled to be selected by Crain’s Detroit Business for this higher education honor, but my selection is really a testament to the hard work and dedication that OCC’s faculty and staff exhibit every day in their commitment to ensure our students reach their academic and career goals.”

The entire Notable Leaders in Higher Education special report from Crain’s Detroit Business can be found on its website. 

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