HFC’s Nahla Haidar selected for MCCA Leadership Academy

Release Date
Headshot of Nahla Haidar in front of a green wall.

HFC is proud to announce that Nahla Haidar, Associate Dean of the HFC School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), has been selected to participate in the 2025–26 Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) Leadership Academy.

Haidar, of Dearborn Heights, will join 44 other fellows from across Michigan in a year-long journey designed to strengthen leadership skills, build statewide connections, and shape the future of community colleges. Haidar has worked in higher education since 1995. She joined the faculty of HFC in 2006. She became the Associate Dean of STEM in 2025.

“As Associate Dean, I see the MCCA Leadership Academy as an opportunity to guide and empower faculty in developing their leadership potential, strengthening both our programs and our students’ success,” said Haidar.

Preparing leaders to champion student success at community colleges

Now in its ninth year, the MCCA Leadership Academy is a premier professional development program for emerging leaders in the community college sector. Participants engage in a Michigan-specific curriculum focused on leadership roles, student experience, institutional change, and building external partnerships.

The 2025–26 cohort represents 25 Michigan community colleges. Grounded in the principles of Community College 3.0, developed by the Aspen Institute, and More Essential Than Ever, from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, this program equips leaders and prepares them to champion student success, advance equity, and drive effective transformation within community colleges.

“Community colleges are home to incredible talent, and investing in leadership development ensures our faculty and staff are equipped to grow in their roles and advance student success,” said HFC Interim President Dr. Lori Gonko. “Nahla’s participation reflects HFC’s commitment to fostering professional growth and ensuring the next generation of leaders is ready to meet Michigan’s talent and education needs.”