JACKSON, MI – A Jackson College trustee has received regional recognition for his service to the college.
Dr. Edward Mathein, a JC trustee since 1998, is receiving the 2019 Trustee Leadership Award for the Central Region of the Association of Community College Trustees, according to a news release.
The award recognizes contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities. Mathein now will contend for national-level recognition, which is being announced in October.
Mathein was the JC Board of Trustees chairman from 2008-12. He practiced dentistry in Jackson for 50 years and, although he’s retired now, he still offers his services at the Center for Family Health Dental Clinic.
Mathein also is an alumnus of Jackson Junior College, graduating in 1961. His service to the college now stems from his own experiences there then, he said in the release.
“I was always grateful for the opportunities I had at Jackson Junior College because it put me on my career path,” Mathein said in the release. “I was grateful for what I’ve been able to achieve and proud of the institution.”
Mathein first became involved with the college’s alumni association and the Jackson College Foundation board of directors before deciding to run for trustee.
Two initiatives he said he is most proud of as a trustee are the 2014 launch of Jackson Preparatory & Early College, a charter school authorized by JC, and the start of the dental hygiene program and clinic in 2017.
“Both of those were multi-year efforts to get up and running,” he said in the release.
Mathein also has represented Jackson College on the Michigan Community College Association Board since 2008 and was the MCCA state treasurer from 2008-12.