With more than 25 years of experience in the educational field, Michael Carter is stepping into his most prolific position yet.
Last month, Sinclair Community College appointed Carter the new Interim Senior Vice President after Dr. Robert Johnson became president of Becker College in Massachusetts. Carter is set to fill the position through the academic year.
Carter, who is nearly a month into his new role, said Johnson was a mentor of his and he doesn’t want to make a lot of changes.
“We need to make sure we keep the momentum going,” Carter said. “We don’t want to re-organize or restructure.”
Carter said the Senior VP oversees and directs the goals and missions of many areas including Student Services, School Linkages, Marketing and Enrollment, among others. Through the first few weeks, Carter said he has a definitive interest in sticking with the Senior VP role.
“I’m still showing up every day,” he laughed.
Sinclair President Steven Johnson said he has known Carter for many years and believes he is more than capable of filling the Senior VP role.
“(Carter) has proven himself and he’s a proven leader and professional,” President Johnson said. “Michael and I have a very strong relationship. He’s the kind of guy who can step into the (Senior VP) position and represent the college.”
Carter, 50, has been with the college since 2001 as a part of the Fast Forward Center at Sinclair. The Fast Forward Center was established “to develop and maintain a comprehensive network of alternative schools and programs that serve out-of-school youth,” according to Sinclair’s website.
Carter became the program director in 2004 and stayed in the position until he was appointed Senior VP. Carter was also the senior director of School Linkages at the time of his promotion.
Since stepping into his new role, Carter said the college has applied for multiple grants, including the Communities, Learning and Partnership grant, which is estimated at $3 million.
“(The grant) is going to have a huge impact,” he said. “It’s going to assist low-income, 16 to 26-year-olds, not only attend post-secondary (college), but complete a degree or get a certification. That’s going to have huge implications on students if we get that (grant).”
Carter’s educational career began in 1985 and he has since worked as a probation officer, teacher, coach and high school principal. Carter believes his background will help him with his new position.
“In the current school systems, everything is fast paced,” he said. “You have to think on your feet and there is very little down or quiet time. There are things that happen and you can’t let that interfere with your interaction with students or staff.”