Title: Chief Diversity Officer
Company: Muskegon Community College
Location: Muskegon, Michigan, United States
Ken James, Chief Diversity Officer at Muskegon Community College, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in ensuring that all racial and ethnic identities have the ability to thrive.
Following obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in public administration in 1994 from Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky, Mr. James subsequently earned a Master of Public Administration in 1996 from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. He provided superior service as an affirmative action director for the city of Muskegon, Michigan from 1997 to 2005, as director of management learning and development from 2006 to 2008 with Hackley Hospital and as Assistant Vice President for Affirmative Action with his alma mater Grand Valley State University from 2008 to 2009. Mr. James then worked as an independent consultant with Meijer, Inc. as a general training specialist and part of a team that developed, implemented, and piloted comprehensive regional ethics training initiative that was adopted organization-wide in 2012.
With Spectrum Health from 2012 to 2017, Mr. James excelled as a senior learning advisor and a senior recruiter, leading a team that developed and implemented an organization-wide, paid internship program for 100-plus summer interns annually. After serving for three years as a talent development program manager and director of inclusion with Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Mr. James has made an impact since 2021 as chief diversity officer with Muskegon Community College, working to ensure that individuals of all racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religious, political and ideological perspectives, and physical and mental abilities are able to thrive. Mr. James attributes his success to having a strong support system, being well-read, and to his education. As a career highlight, he cites his help in business incubation for underrepresented groups, particularly Asian, Hispanic, and Black-owned businesses. In the coming years, Mr. James is hoping for his organization to be a premier community college noted for the efforts it has done in diversity and inclusion.
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