Welcome to Henry Ford College!
My path to the College Presidency was not a straight line, but it was a journey that made me who I am today. Before I was a Marine, a legislator, or executive, I was a student at Henry Ford College. I know what it's like to sit in a classroom on our campuses, carry obligations that do not pause for a syllabus deadline, and wonder whether my plan is even going to work out, let alone how I'm going to pay for it. That experience is why this work is so personal to me and why I believe deeply in how this College can change lives.
We uphold high standards at Henry Ford College because our service to you is so important. This is not about what we say; it is about how we show up for our community.
We show up by opening our campuses. Being a Welcoming College is not a slogan, it is at the core of our mission. Our campuses belong to Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and our entire region. Everyone is welcome here: walkers and bikers enjoying the beautiful Rouge River watershed, neighbors enjoying a performance, employers at a job fair, non-profits planning their next impactful project, aspiring students dreaming of a better future on campus or online, families celebrating a graduation, leaders convening around problems that no single organization can solve alone.
When our region needs someone to serve as a convener of deep and meaningful work, we will be here to set the table and open our doors to the community.
We show up for students at every stage of a life. There is no such thing as a "typical" HFC student. On our campus, you'll find teenagers earning college credit and a high school diploma at the same time, high school graduates earning guaranteed transfer credits before moving on to a major university, adults returning to finish an education that got interrupted or retraining for an industry that did not exist a decade ago, and retirees taking a class for the joy of it. Regardless of where you are in your educational journey, everyone is welcome here. We have spent almost 90 years opening the doors of opportunity to our community and mastering the craft of helping everyone reach their highest goals and potential.
We show up with the whole College behind each student. Programs like the Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect have helped to remove financial barriers to attending Henry Ford College. But we know that what happens outside the classroom can impact your studies and place barriers between you and success. I want all students — former, current, and prospective — to know that we can help. In addition to financial support, including more than 130 unique scholarships, we offer dozens of support services, with each one focused on an individual student’s needs. Each interaction is designed to support your life, your goals, and your dignity. Our College is built to reach beyond the classroom, so that your life and your education can work together.
We show up alongside partners, creating sustainable solutions together. Our work with business and industry, regional and national universities, K-12 districts, health systems, legislators, and civic and community organizations sets the path for how a graduate moves from a certificate to a career, or from our classrooms to a bachelor's degree next door or across the country. We are proud to be a partner that brings real value to other organizations and individuals.
You belong at Henry Ford College. Sign up for a class, walk our campus, enjoy a performance, visit us online, learn about our vibrant community, test out a business concept, or bring us a problem that we can solve together. Our doors are open and our incredible faculty, staff, and students are here to help.
It remains an honor and a privilege to lead our esteemed institution. I hope to meet you on campus or in the community soon.
Regards,
David
David M. Knezek, Jr.
President
Henry Ford College
President@hfcc.edu