Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has named Dr. Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, to its Presidential Advisory Board.
Pink joins 43 other college presidents from across the nation on the board and will provide input into the organization’s strategic plan, priorities, and direction. Advisory Board members advocate for Phi Theta Kappa, its members, and its mission; serve as liaisons between PTK headquarters and the college leaders in their states; and advise the Society’s president and CEO and other senior leaders.
“Phi Theta Kappa does a tremendous job supporting students striving to reach their potential,” Pink said. “It’s important for colleges to create opportunities and have high expectations, but also creating an environment where students are supported and can thrive. PTK is an important part of that environment.”
Phi Theta Kappa goes beyond recognition to serve as a pathway to student success and completion by providing scholarships and opportunities to its members for individual growth and development — work that would not be possible without the support of college presidents like Pink. The Presidential Advisory Board was established in 2015.
Pink became GRCC’s tenth president in May 2017. A leader at the national and local level, Pink is focused on building on GRCC’s strong history of service to all students, guiding the college to be relevant and responsive to its community.
Pink also is involved in governance and policy development at regional and national levels. He was elected to the board of trustees for the Higher Learning Commission, the accreditor for colleges and universities across 19 states, and on the Community College Advisory Panel for The College Board. He was elected to the American Council on Education board, working with leaders from across the nation to shape public policy and help more students gain a quality education.
Also, he was appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation board and to represent Michigan on the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, a regional board focused on providing greater higher education opportunities.
In West Michigan, Pink serves in leadership posts for a variety of workforce and community organizations. He is a the vice chairman of the United Way, Heart of West Michigan; board member of the Spectrum Health Hospitals Group, West Michigan Works!, The Right Place, The Employers’ Association of Grand Rapids, and the Grand Rapids Economic Club.
He was named 2019 Newsmaker of the Year for education by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, and the 2019 Pacesetter, an award for community college presidents from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.
Before coming to GRCC, Pink was vice president for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City.
The Abilene, Texas, native has taught and coached in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Oregon. He was a successful college basketball player, earning awards for his athletic and academic achievements, including a 2016 induction into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dr. Pink has an associate degree from York College in Nebraska, a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University, a master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.
