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Board approves Michael Anthony as next Prairie State College president

The Prairie State College (PSC) Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Michael D. Anthony as the college’s 17th president at a special meeting on Sept. 30.

Anthony previously served as vice president of student affairs and institutional effectiveness at PSC for two years. He will take over as PSC president on Oct. 15, replacing Dr. Thomas Saban, who has served as interim president since March 2020.

The presidential contract will be approved at the PSC board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve in such a prestigious and important role at the college,” Anthony said. “I am looking forward to solidifying and building relationships with our community and working alongside our dedicated faculty, staff and colleagues.”

Anthony says his first goal as the college president is to listen and strengthen internal and external relationships.

“I want to first and foremost listen to those inside the college — about what they want and need to be successful — particularly in this ongoing pandemic environment. I also want to do the same thing with our external partners. I think there are employers, faith-based communities, and non-profit organizations, all of which have a stake in the college, who need to be heard,” Anthony said.

“Our search committee did an exceptional job identifying the best candidate for president,” said PSC Board President Ronnie White. “Dr. Anthony is highly qualified and possesses experience and the internal knowledge and goals to move Prairie State College forward. We feel he will serve College District 515 with compassion, expertise, and heart. He is a mission-driven leader, and we look forward to supporting Dr. Anthony as president of this great institution.”

Anthony is the first African American to hold the president position in the history of the college.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Anthony has a record in higher education serving as a vice president at Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minnesota; diversity officer at Oakton Community College and director of the cultural center at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.

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