UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — Delta College’s Board of Trustees voted 7-0 Tuesday to pursue a contract with Michelle Allmendinger to become the sixth president in the school’s history, moving the Iowa community college administrator to the front of a search that began after President Michael Gavin announced his resignation last fall.
The vote authorizes the college to offer the job and begin contract negotiations with Allmendinger, who now serves as vice president of student affairs at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa. Delta’s published timeline lists July 1 as the tentative first day for the new president.
Allmendinger emerged from a finalist group that also included Reva Curry, Delta College’s vice president of instruction and learning services, and Adam Cloutier, vice president of academics at Glen Oaks Community College and a Delta alumnus. Trustees narrowed the field after a national search that drew 63 applicants, cut to 10 candidates, then five finalists before two withdrew.
Board President Stacey L. Gannon described the selection process as thorough after the college completed finalist interviews last week. The search included trustee interviews, public forums and meetings with faculty, staff, students and community members, followed by feedback gathered from those sessions.
Trustees said Allmendinger stood out for her presence, communication style and fit with the college’s direction. Trustee Dianne M. Middleton said Allmendinger’s demeanor impressed her and called her steady, approachable and capable of building on the sense of unity at Delta. Trustee Alexis Thomas said Allmendinger received strong feedback from faculty and staff and described her as believable, articulate and relatable.
Allmendinger was not present for Tuesday’s vote. Trustees first ranked the three finalists using a point system before moving to discussion and a final vote. All but one of the seven trustees present ranked Allmendinger first, leaving her as the leading candidate in the tally. Curry finished second in points. Trustees Michael Wood and Alexander Clark were absent.
A native of Moline, Illinois, Allmendinger brings a background that spans teaching, athletics and student affairs. She was a first-generation college student at Knox College, where she was a two-sport athlete and earned degrees in English and secondary education. She began her career as a high school English teacher and part-time college coach before moving into full-time collegiate coaching. She later earned a master’s degree in human kinetics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a doctorate in higher education administration from Michigan State University. Her dissertation focused on ethics and decision-making in higher education administration.
Before joining Southeastern Community College in 2023, Allmendinger served as dean of student development at Clinton Community College in Iowa and earlier as athletics director and assistant dean of students at Scott Community College. During her Delta finalist interview, she described herself as a bridge builder and emphasized student success, collaboration and strategic planning.
Her selection comes during a leadership transition at Delta College. Gavin announced in September that he would step down, ending a four-year tenure. The board later chose Andrea Ursuy as interim president, with her service beginning in January.
Delta has had only five presidents since opening in 1961. Sam Marble served as the college’s first president before leaving to become the founding president of Saginaw Valley State University. Don Carlyon led Delta from 1963 to 1992, followed by Peter Boyse from 1992 to 2005 and Jean Goodnow from 2005 to 2021. If contract talks are completed, Allmendinger would become the next leader of one of mid-Michigan’s most important higher education institutions at a time when community colleges across the state are balancing enrollment, workforce training and long-term financial pressures.
