A conversation with incoming President of Macomb Community College, Jim Jacobs.

 

If you’ve been involved and interested in the economic climate in Macomb County during the last 25 years or so, you have most certainly had the opportunity to hear Dr. James B. Jacobs present his annual “Economic Forecast” as hosted by the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce Alliance.

Long regarded as Macomb’s top economist, Dr. Jacobs was recently selected by the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees to assume the role as fifth president of the college.  On July 1, he will succeed the position of Dr. Albert Lorenzo, a 29-year veteran who steadily grew the college to the great institution that it is today.  eMacomb sat with Dr. Jacobs for a few minutes to wish him well. 

Has this all settled in? 

Yes and no.  Obviously, one of the great advantages that I have is that I have been at this institution a long time.  I am very familiar with the many programs of the college and have a good understanding of how the complexities of our institutes work together to create balance.    

I am very fortunate to be following Dr. Lorenzo.  He has been a great president and has assembled an incredible staff of extremely capable people, which will definitely help to make my job easier. 

You haven’t yet made the transition to the Big Office.  What keeps you up at night?

It is no secret that housing values are on the decline throughout our region.  As prices fall, so do our revenues through the local tax millage.  The college will be okay for the next couple of years but if values don’t stabilize, we will be facing shortfalls like many of our municipalities and K-12 schools are already experiencing. 

I believe that we are nearing the end of this trend and that values should stop their decline but I also strongly believe we need to be prepared in case that they don’t rebound quickly enough.    

What are you looking forward to most in your role as President?

Under Lorenzo’s guidance, Macomb Community College has emerged to be one of the major community colleges in the United States.  I want to continue to uphold and build upon this reputation. 

I am looking forward to helping our region meet the challenges of being competitive on a global basis.  I think it is pretty clear that the economic model of prosperity that we have known – manufacturing as it relates to the automotive industry - has been shattered.  Gone are the days when someone could emerge from high school and land a good paying job.  The reality is that there will not be good paying jobs for those who have not made themselves marketable by acquiring skills and knowledge. 

The college is and will continue to be at the center of helping citizens be prepared for good jobs.  At the same time, we will continue to work with employers to identify their needs in terms of a skilled and ready workforce and develop programs that help us all transition from manufacturing as we have known it to become a more knowledge-based economy. 

 

Many of in Macomb have literally watched as “12 Mile High” has transformed into a place that is nationally recognized for its incredible ability to be responsive to many different types of needs for our region.  We know that our local employers rely on the college to help develop curriculums to strengthen our workforce.  There are lots of professionals in our area that experienced Macomb as a cost-efficient way to gain respectable credit as they began their collegiate journey.  The Center for Continuing Education offers a tremendous diversity of offerings for the children and adults and exposure to the arts is made available through the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts and the newly opened Lorenzo Cultural Center. 

On top of that, Macomb College pioneered the notion that undergraduate and graduate degrees from a distant college could be offered locally through a “University Center.”  Last year, Macomb was able to convince Michigan State University to make a major investment in establishing an expansion site of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

What could possibly be next for Macomb? 

Macomb County continues to be one of the fastest growing in the region.  As a county, we are really going through a renaissance of sorts as we begin to assume a much more visible role in the region. 

I think the college’s next role could be in helping to put Macomb on the map by promoting the attributes that already make us a place where people want to live and locate a business. 

The Department of Planning & Economic Development has partnered with Macomb Community College in many ways.  How do you envision that partnership evolving in the future?

I personally have benefited for many years through my working relationships with the department.  I want to strengthen that partnership by positioning the college to take a more proactive approach for stimulating economic growth in the county.  I believe that some of the resources of the college can be used in combination with your efforts to attract new business and also to strengthen entrepreneurship in the county. 

In terms of workforce development, the college will continue to identify those industries that are best suited for diversifying Macomb County’s economic base and develop programs to help people be prepared to meet the challenge of globalization.

Of course, we are keenly interested in Macomb’s workforce development initiatives, especially as they pertain to our efforts to attract new business to the county.  What do you foresee happening with workforce development efforts in the future? 

I may be a bit biased but I believe that Macomb’s workforce development initiatives are the hallmark of the college!  We have been very concentrated on identifying what skill sets are needed to meet the new economy and in developing programs and curriculums to meet those needs. 
 
We will continue to help those that are unemployed or underemployed gain the marketable skills they need to be a part of the workforce.  For instance, we have quick start programs that make it easier for people to gain the certification they need to be a truck driver, enter the allied healthcare fields, office skills and a customer focused retail training program.  These are very accessible programs that can help put people back on a payroll quicker.


It is estimated that up to 25% of Macomb residents have attended college, but many do not end up with a diploma.  What role can Macomb College play in improving this statistic?

Many of our programs are designed to be a gateway to a four-year degree.  For instance, you can come to Macomb with a goal to gain specific certification or earn an associates degree in field where good jobs are available but we also want people to be very cognizant that even better jobs exist for those with a four-year degree.   And, Macomb’s University Center is making it easier for people to juggle jobs and family life while getting an education.

Macomb’s ability to attract Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will also be a major boon for creating jobs and making health care a major industry in the county.

 

Educational Attainment for those over 25 years of age*	US	MI	Macomb	Oakland	Wayne
Less than high school	16%	13%	13%	8%	18%
High school graduate	30%	32%	33%	22%	33%
Some college, no degree	19%	22%	25%	21%	23%
Associate's degree	7%	8%	8%	7%	7%
Bachelor's degree	17%	15%	14%	25%	13%
Graduate or professional degree	10%	9%	7%	18%	7%
* Source: U.S. Census 2006 American Community Survey.

 

What should Macomb County residents know about you before assume the reins of presidency?

I believe I was selected for this position because of my understanding of economics and for my background in workforce development.  The future rests on how well we transition from manufacturing to a knowledge-based economy.  My plan is to hit the ground running to make this a focal point.

Macomb is a great county with great people, infrastructure and assets.  I want to be involved in helping Macomb be a pivotal partner in for revitalizing the economy in our region and state.