GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Community College President Charles Lepper has resigned.
His resignation was accepted by the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees in a special meeting Monday. When asked, GRCC declined to say why Lepper resigned.
“We are grateful for the work that has taken place over the last 2 years and we wish Dr. Lepper the best in his future endeavors,” wrote GRCC in a news release.
Lepper’s resignation comes a month after the college placed him on paid administrative leave pending a review of his contract.
Grand Rapids Community College president on paid leave
Lisa Freiburger, GRCC Vice President for Finance and Administration, was chosen by the board as interim president, effective immediately. She had already been serving as acting president since Lepper was placed on leave.
In an email to News 8, a GRCC spokesperson said Freiburger “brings strong leadership and deep institutional knowledge to the role.”
Freiburger will remain in the position through her planned retirement at the end of May, GRCC said. In the coming weeks, the board will choose a new interim president to serve after her retirement next month.
No reason was given for the review of Lepper’s contract. However, as student newspaper The Collegiate noted, Lepper was announced earlier in March as one of four finalists in the Madison Area Technical College’s presidential search. The Wisconsin college launched a search after its longtime president announced his retirement.
Lepper became GRCC’s 11th president in early 2023. He came to GRCC from Salt Lake Community College.
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