Carol Higgins

Vice Chairperson, Board of Trustees

Trustee Profile

Carol Higgins serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Glen Oaks Community College, bringing a lifelong commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and community service. Raised in Mendon, Michigan, she has deep personal and professional ties to the region and a strong belief in the role community colleges play in expanding opportunity across generations.

Her service reflects a career dedicated to learning, teaching, and civic engagement.

Professional and Community Background

Carol was raised on a farm in Mendon Township and is a graduate of Vicksburg High School. She completed coursework at Glen Oaks Community College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Nazareth College and a Master’s Degree in Science Education from Western Michigan University.

She taught and coached middle school sports at Marcellus Community Schools for 17 years. In addition to her work in education, Carol was an active partner with Maple Shade Farms for twelve years and has experience in market gardening. She has also served as a Master Gardener.

Carol and her husband, Larry, built their home in 2004 and operated Arrowhead Cove Bed and Breakfast there for eight years. They are active in their church community and previously sang with the Vicksburg Village Singers for nearly two decades. Together, they have six adult children and ten grandchildren.

Service to Glen Oaks

As Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Carol supports the Board’s leadership in governance, policy oversight, and long-term planning. Her background in education and community engagement informs a thoughtful, collaborative approach to decision-making that prioritizes student success, environmental responsibility, and local needs.

Carol’s connection to Glen Oaks is also generational. Her granddaughter is a third-generation Glen Oaks student, reflecting her family’s continued relationship with the college and belief in accessible, local education.

Community Leadership and Engagement

Carol has long been involved in environmental, educational, and civic initiatives throughout St. Joseph County and across Michigan. Her leadership began early, serving as co-chair of the Mendon Community Schools millage campaign in the 1970s and organizing the first Project Graduation event for Mendon seniors in 1990.

Appointed to the St. Joseph County Conservation District Board in 2009, Carol has served four terms and remains actively engaged in conservation leadership. She currently serves as co-chair of the Conservation Education Committee for the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts and is a member of the policy committee for the Michigan Farmers Union. She has also been a candidate for the Michigan State House on three occasions, advocating for policies that protect Michigan’s water, soil, air, and natural resources.

In 2021, Carol was a founding member of the Mendon Housing Initiative, which successfully partnered with Habitat for Humanity to bring new housing opportunities to the community, with a pledge to build five homes. She is also a member of the Mendon Kiwanis Club and the Mendon Women’s Club.

In 2025, Carol founded Mendon Thrives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing community needs in the greater Mendon area. The organization’s first initiative focuses on raising funds to establish after-school programming for local students.

Personal Background

Carol and her husband, Larry, enjoy golf and outdoor activities including walking, biking, and spending time on the water. They raised six children, all of whom live in Michigan, and are grandparents to eight grandchildren, with another on the way.

The couple previously built a timber-frame home on Portage Lake and operated it as Arrowhead Cove Bed and Breakfast for eight years.

Governance Role

Trustees serve in a governance and policy-making capacity and are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the college. Operational leadership is provided by the President and executive leadership team.