Dr. Lori M. Gonko named President of Macomb Community College

O n March 18, the Macomb Community College (MCC) Board of Trustees selected Dr. Lori M. Gonko as their next president, anticipated to start July 1. Dr. Gonko notified the Henry Ford College (HFC) Board of Trustees of her withdrawal from the Henry Ford College presidential search to take on her new role.

“Dr. Gonko has served the Henry Ford College community with great distinction for 14 years, including the past nine months as our Interim President,” said Chair of the HFC Board of Trustees, Jamal Aljahmi. “The Board and the College are deeply grateful for her leadership, integrity, expertise, and her personal dedication to the success of our employees, students, civic organizations, professional partners, and this Board. She is an exemplary and gifted leader. We will miss her trusted partnership in leading our College. We wish her all success and happiness as she takes on her new presidency at Macomb Community College.”

Dr. Gonko accomplished a great deal during her time at HFC. She joined the College in 2012, advancing through several leadership roles before being appointed Vice President of Strategy and Human Resources in 2019. In her VP role, she was responsible for strategic planning, human resources, institutional research and business intelligence, academic advising, and accreditation efforts. She has led or co-led significant initiatives such as the College's strategic planning process, the College’s national accreditation process with the Higher Learning Commission, and major student success efforts. She was appointed HFC Interim President in July 2025.

“Henry Ford College will always hold a special place in my heart. It has been my home for the past 14 years, and the people here have truly become like family. While my career began at Macomb Community College 25 years ago, HFC gave me so many opportunities to grow, both professionally and as a leader,” said Gonko. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone I’ve had the chance to work alongside in supporting the College’s mission to transform lives and build better futures. That mission is focused on our students, but I feel just as fortunate to have experienced that same impact in my own journey.”

The Henry Ford College Board of Trustees will continue its presidential search with the four finalists who were previously announced alongside Gonko. Details of on-campus finalist interviews and forums are on the HFC Presidential Search website.