Baker College of Clinton Township names new president

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Baker College officials have announced that Patricia A. Kaufman, Ed.D., will succeed Donald R. Torline as president of Baker College of Clinton Township, effective Sept. 1.

Kaufman served as president of Baker College of Jackson for the past nine years. Prior to leading the Jackson campus, she spent 12 years at Baker College of Clinton Township, so returning as president is a homecoming for her. She will also oversee Baker College of Port Huron, including its Culinary Institute of Michigan-Port Huron.

Torline is retiring after 32 years at Baker College, including serving 24 years as president of the Clinton Township campus. He also held leadership roles at the Port Huron campus in the 1990s and during the past year.

F. James Cummins, Baker College System president and CEO, said, “Don’s legacy will endure for many years. His work at Baker College and within the community has helped thousands of students attain meaningful careers, and he has assisted hundreds of businesses and organizations by providing the workforce they need to succeed.

“I’m not surprised that the Clinton Township board of regents selected Patty to succeed Don. She is an exceptional administrator who has earned the respect of her peers. She cares deeply about helping students advance professionally and personally. Her experience and education have equipped her well to succeed in her new role.”

Kaufman joined the Clinton Township campus in 1994 as faculty and career services coordinator and had advanced to vice president of academics before accepting the promotion to president of the Jackson campus in 2006.

Torline led the Clinton Township campus when Kaufman was hired 21 years ago. He promoted and relied upon her until she accepted the promotion of president at Baker College of Jackson. He believes Kaufman is the ideal candidate to succeed him.

“I am very excited to return to the campus where I began my career with Baker College,” Kaufman said. “I am proud to play a role in providing quality education and training opportunities for students and employers and look forward to developing new programs to meet student and community needs as well as advancing partnerships with local K-12 districts.”

During her nine-year tenure at Baker College of Jackson, several new programs were launched based on community workforce needs, including practical nurse, fire science and multiple computer information technology and advanced manufacturing degrees, including a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. The new cyber defense teams quickly became decorated at state competitions, and the criminal justice program acquired a house where students hone their crime-solving skills. Campus construction included a new welcome center in 2010 and creation of the advanced manufacturing lab and Academic Resource Center (ARC) in 2014. The ARC combined the functions of the library, the Writing Center, Learning Support Services and Academic Advising into a single blended resource.

Kaufmann holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Wayne State University, Detroit, a masters in sociology from the University of Toledo, in Ohio, and a bachelor’s in social sciences with a secondary teaching certification from Siena Heights College, Adrian.
During his tenure at the Clinton Township campus, Torline has worked tirelessly with area businesses to provide curriculum to meet changing workforce needs. Student enrollment grew from 689 to a high of more than 6,000 students.

Both Kaufman and Torline are graduates of Leadership Macomb, an organization that Torline has championed; so much so, that its board of directors created the Donald R. Torline Leadership Legacy Award in 2013 to be given annually to a participant who has shown exemplary leadership in Macomb County. In other words, someone like Torline.

Being involved in organizations that help strengthen the community is important to Torline. In addition to serving in a leadership role with Leadership Macomb, he held leadership positions for the Port Huron and Mount Clemens Rotary clubs and the Macomb Food Program. Torline has been recognized for his accomplishments by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Rep. Candace Miller and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

“I love this job and the professional people I work with every day,” he said. “But, it’s time to spend more time with my six young grandchildren and their families. Retiring now will allow me to play an important, meaningful part in their lives.”

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.