A native son from Cass County and long-time school administrator is the newest member of the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees, following appointment by fellow board members this morning in a special meeting on the Dowagiac Campus.
Tracy D. Hertsel of Vandalia has garnered the appointment by the board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation after five years of Trustee Dr. Heidi Grabemeyer-Layman whose family is moving out of the SMC taxpayer district.
Hertsel worked in Cassopolis Public Schools for 29 years, initially teaching middle school for six years, then working in various levels of administration, serving his final five years as Superintendent. Hertsel is currently employed at Niles Community Schools as Director of Student Support Services.
Born in Dowagiac and a resident of Cass County for 45 years, Hertsel graduated from Cassopolis Ross Beatty Junior/Senior High School and is an alumnus of SMC. After receiving his Associate of Arts degree in 1983, he continued his education with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a Master of Arts in Athletic Administration, both from Western Michigan University. He also serves as President of the Board of the Cassopolis Family Clinic Network and a board member of the Cassopolis Public Schools Foundation.
SMC Board Chair Thomas Jerdon says, “Tracy’s long involvement in the community and understanding of the current K-12 education environment will be tremendous assets to SMC,” adding, “He is an advocate for dual enrollment and a veteran administrator and educator who has experience with collective bargaining agreements, budgets, faculty and students. He’s a wealth of experience.”
Hertsel will begin serving as Trustee immediately.
