Office of the President

Update, April 23, 2025: President Kavalhuna announced that he is leaving Henry Ford College to take the helm at Western Michigan University. Updates on the Board of Trustees' decisions regarding the College presidency will be published on the Henry Ford College homepage.

President Russell A. “Russ” Kavalhuna is responsible for leadership, management, development, and coordination of all departments, divisions, and functions of the College, both internal and external. He is the foremost public representative of the College, speaks in an official capacity for the College, and is the face of the College to many public audiences.

In collaboration with other leaders, President Kavalhuna establishes and communicates the vision and strategic direction of the College. Some areas of responsibility include planning, budget, academics, communications, personnel, student services, facilities, fundraising, policy, reporting, and community and government relations.

The president works closely with seven Vice Presidents who take primary strategic and operational responsibility for major functional areas of the College. This group of senior leaders comprises the President’s Cabinet. The president also works closely with the Deans of the four HFC academic schools, the leaders of HFC’s five collective bargaining units, and other leaders on and off campus.

The President is appointed by, and reports to, the Henry Ford College Board of Trustees, whose seven members are elected by the citizens of Dearborn, and whose members also serve as the Dearborn School District’s Board of Education.