College presidents look toward retirement
Grant serves North for 25 years, continues community work
Rikki Saldivar
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
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Grant has served North for 25 years. He began as a management instructor in 1983 and in 1985 became director of continuing education. After a year of serving as vice president of instruction, he took the reins as president in 1998.
"He's out with the community and helps out organizations who need it," Charlotte Jackson, events coordinator at North, said. "How many other presidents of college campuses do you know that will come and participate in the community. He is in love with life and people."
A past president of the North Shore Rotary Club and the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce, Grant has also participated in community activities and support groups such as the North Channel Coalition (women's shelter), the W.D. Ley YMCA and the Boy Scouts District Chair. Grant has served in local, district and international positions.
Many feel Grant will never really leave the campus and has made a lasting impression on those he has come in contact with.
"He will never be gone," Jackson said. "He is not only my supervisor, but my friend. Every time I see a person with need, I will be reminded of him. He loves from the heart and makes a difference every day."
Grant feels pleased to be retiring after all of his service, but will miss all that he has learned and instilled in the college.
"Retiring is bitter-sweet," Grant said. "This my 25th year at the college and my 10th year as president. It is really hard to "let go" when you think of all the people that have been helped by the college over the years. I attended and graduated from San Jacinto College, so I have enjoyed being able to say I was the first (and so far) the only graduate to then become president of a campus."
In the 10 years Grant has served as president at North, the campus has been able to raise over $20 million in grant funding and has been able to add additional technical programs to meet the needs of students.
Grant feels that the public schools, community and the college together can work to better individuals through education and their results when they apply themselves.
"The college is the 'hub' of the North Channel Area and has a very positive image in the community," Grant said.
Although Grant feels that those are some of the major accomplishments that he has achieved for the campus, equality and fairness prevails over all.
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