Courtesy Photo Alpena Community College President Don MacMaster is seen in this provided photo.

ALPENA — Alpena Community College Board Chairman John Briggs reported on President Don MacMaster’s annual evaluation, finding that MacMaster had met many of his proposed goals for the 2024-2025 school year.

The ACC board of trustees discussed the president’s evaluation in a closed session prior to their regular board meeting Thursday night. They made the evaluation and the president’s goals available to The News.

Briggs summarized MacMaster’s strengths, saying that he continues to maintain strong relationships with legislators and government officials. He has also improved communication with the ACC Foundation Board and ACC employees. Briggs said MacMaster continues to cultivate outside resources for the benefit of the college and he maintains a culture of constant improvement and embraces change.

MacMaster is currently in the first year of his fourth three-year contract. His current contract runs through June 30, 2027.

MacMaster is at step F9 on the administrative pay scale. He expressed an interest in being treated consistently with all of the employees. Briggs and the trustees agreed that MacMaster be moved to step F10, in line with other administrators.

His total compensation for fiscal year 2026 will be $216,659, including a $196,459 base salary, $6,000 compensation for travel in the service area, $4,200 for 25 years of service at the college, and $10,000 for office expenses/other.

MacMaster gave a self-assessment of his position responsibilities and responded “met this criteria” to each of the 17 responsibilities.

Some of those stated responsibilities include:

“To carry out the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees and to comply with the laws and regulations of the State of Michigan.”

“To lead the college in fulfilling its mission, goals, vision, and values as determined by the Board of Trustees.”

“To perform all responsibilities with integrity, honesty, and professionalism with respect to

individual diversity and college traditions.”

“To direct a participatory strategic planning process for the College, to disseminate the strategic plan to the Board of Trustees and other constituents, and to report on the status of its elements to them on a regular basis.”

MacMaster also evaluated his accomplishment of the goals he set for fiscal year 2025.

The goal of growing enrollment 4% over fiscal year 2024 was accomplished. The college also finished number one among Michigan’s 28 community colleges for completion.

Ongoing goals include the completion of fundraising for the new student housing unit. The college is awaiting a resolution of a $1.25 million legislative directed spending, or earmark, request through State Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan).

Also, the college has accomplished upgrades to Ellucian Colleague, an enterprise resource planning system that streamlines various administrative and academic processes, and is still looking to upgrade course scheduling software Ad Astra.

A goal that MacMaster accomplished in 2025, and hopes to accomplish every year, is to continue growing a college culture that embraces change while seizing opportunities. He highlighted adding Cheboygan as a K-12 partner as an achievement towards that goal.

Finally, MacMaster listed his 23 goals for fiscal year 2026. One new goal is to begin fundraising $2 million for soccer fields and bus transportation for athletics.

MacMaster also hopes to advance development of college assets down Woodward Avenue.

Other listed goals include finishing construction of the $4.6 million solar array project, funding the second utility technology climbing range, continuing campus beautification initiatives, including signage, landscaping, and replacement of World Center for Concrete Technology pavers, and maintaining institutional focus on student support services, including fundraising for that purpose.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.