Mr. James aims to achieve recognition for MCC as a premier community college that draws the patronage of other local schools and educational professionals.
MUSKEGON, MI, July 15, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ken James has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Recruited to serve as the inaugural chief diversity officer for Muskegon Community College (MCC) in 2021, Mr. James leverages his expertise to implement and enhance the institution's cultural competency and the diversity, equity and inclusion of its students, faculty, and local and business community. In this newly formed administrative role, Mr. James' goal is to support the institution's constituents, while also ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and economic status, can thrive in their environment.
Mr. James spent more than 20 years garnering recognition in various other industries, including health care, local government and the nonprofit sector. After graduating from college, he worked for the City of Muskegon as an affirmative action director between 1997 and 2005. He subsequently served as the director of management learning and development at Hackley Hospital, as the assistant vice president for affirmative action at Grand Valley State University and, among other roles, as a senior recruiter and talent development program manager for several other organizations. Additionally, Mr. James taught at Grand Valley State University as an adjunct professor.
Throughout the course of his career, Mr. James has been responsible for creating policies for several other organizations, which significantly advanced their inclusion practices. While working for the local government, he notably established a supplier and diversity program that remains in place today. Mr. James also created a minority recruitment strategy in the health care sector to help diversify clinical physicians. Furthermore, he contributed to the business incubation of several underrepresented groups, particularly those of Asian, Hispanic and African American descent, to help them gain access to funds for their businesses.
As part of his established commitments to his community, Mr. James is active as the African American heritage fund chair for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, serves on the board of Home Repair Services and Cascade Community Foundation. Among other volunteer positions, he sits as a board member and the deacon of the Renaissance Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously, Mr. James functioned as the director of the Intercultural Community Leadership Academy through MCC and was active with Leadership Muskegon, Leadership West Michigan, and Leadership Grand Rapids.
An alumnus of Kentucky State University, Mr. James achieved a Bachelor of Arts in public administration in 1994, followed by a Master of Public Administration at Grand Valley State University in 1996. Highly qualified in his field, he holds certification in diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace through the University of South Florida's Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education since 2021, which allows him to assist professionals across multiple industries, and executive certification as an associate diversity coach through Coach Diversity Institute since 2021.
Mr. James has been a professional member of the Association of Community College Trustees since 2021. In recognition of his integrity, he was honored to be named to the Grand Rapids Business Journal's Forty Under 40 list in 2007. He was also recognized with a Love in Action Award in 2007 by MCC. Looking toward the future, Mr. James aims to achieve recognition for MCC as a premier community college that draws the patronage of other local schools and educational professionals for its successful diversity and inclusion practices.
About Marquis Who's Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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