Schoolcraft College recently appointed five new board members to its 501c3 component units, which are charitable non-profit organizations created to support the educational and community based goals of the College. The goal of these developmental component units is to generate sustainable funding, on an annual basis, to the college to support its mission.

Appointed to these positions are:

• Cali Crawford, Director of Athletics
• Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Associate Dean of Advising and Partnerships
• Dr. Alec Thomson, Professor, Political Science and History
• Dr. Deborah Vendittelli, Associate Dean-Nursing
• Michael Williams, Director of Financial Aid

Here’s a closer look at each new board member and their organization:

Cali Crawford, SC Sports Dome, Inc.

Cali Crawford has served as Director of Athletics since July 2019, recently overseeing the College’s transition from Division III to Division II in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). She previously served as Assistant Director of Athletics starting in July 2012. Crawford was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to be part of the 14-person Women in Sports Task Force Committee, which is charged with looking at ways to assess and improve opportunities in sports for girls and women. The committee will run for three years and deliver recommendations to Governor Whitmer in 2022 – the 50^th anniversary of Title IX. Crawford has been an At Large Board of Regents Member of the NJCAA since June 2018; she’s been the Women's Assistant Region 12 Director for the NJCAA since June 2013. Crawford earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Madonna University and a Master of Science Degree in Sports Administration from Eastern Michigan University.

Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, SC Technology, Inc.

Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Associate Dean of Advising and Partnerships, is an experienced higher education professional focused on unique ways to improve student success. In her role, she leads a team of talented academic advisors and student advocates in four diverse areas: international students, student veterans, early college students, transfer-seeking students and workforce-seeking students. Using an entrepreneurial mindset, she has created education and business partnerships that mutually benefit students, college, and business. Dr. Kattuah-Snyder has been in her position since 2012, previously serving as Assistant Director of Student Services from May 2011 to October 2012. She also was Transfer Coordinator from January 2006 to May 2011. Dr. Kattuah-Snyder earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications/Human Service from Western Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Adult Instruction and Performance Technology from University of Michigan-Dearborn and her Doctorate in Education in Community College Leadership (Highest Distinction) from Ferris State University.

Dr. Alec Thomson, SC Health Sciences 2, Inc.

Dr. Alec Thomson, professor of political science and history, began his career at Schoolcraft College in 1999.  Dr. Thomson holds graduate degrees from both Wayne State and Arizona State University.  He is the editor of The Community College Enterprise, Schoolcraft’s peer-reviewed research journal.  For over a decade, Dr. Thomson was Schoolcraft College’s Faculty Forum President and President of the Michigan Association for Higher Education (MAHE).  He currently serves on the National Council for Higher Education’s (NCHE) executive board and is a Board of Governor for Schoolcraft’s Foundation.

Dr. Deborah Vendittelli, SC Health Sciences, Inc.

Dr. Deborah Vendittelli, DNP*, ANP-BC**, and nursing program associate dean, is responsible for the Associate in Applied Science degree in the Nursing Program, the Practical Nursing Program, the LPN***-ADN**** Advanced Placement option and the Nursing Assistant program. She has served in this role since August 2012. Despite the many challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Vendittelli and the nursing faculty worked with the Michigan Board of Nursing to ensure that Schoolcraft College’s nursing students graduated on time this past May. In fact, the 168 students in the May cohort represented the largest registered nursing graduating class in the College’s history. Earlier this year, Schoolcraft College was recognized as a top nursing school in Michigan for 2019 by Nursing Schools Almanac, which has been ranking institutions since 2016. This is the first year the group has ranked nursing schools in Michigan.

*DNP stands for Doctor of Nursing Practice

**ANP-BC stands for Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified

***LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse

****ADN stands for Associate’s Degree in Nursing

Michael Williams, SC Development Unit 14, Inc.

Michael Williams, Director of Financial Aid, is an experienced director with a demonstrated successful history of working in higher education. He has served in this position since November of 2017 and also was the Assistant Director of Financial Aid from October 2007 to April 2011. Williams recently was elected the Delegate At Large for the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA). This group includes Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota; its goal is to foster and promote standards of professional preparation in financial aid. Williams also serves as the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (MSFAA) Past-President. Skilled in budgeting, team building, public speaking and fundraising, Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Management from Wayne State University’s School of Business.