Wendy Patriquin is using her experience developing curriculum and working with accreditation organizations to head Ferris State’s program, preparing educators to lead community colleges.

A career instructor with higher education administration experience, Patriquin started her Doctorate in Community College Leadership leadership role in August 2023 as she joined the Extended and International Operations executive team.

Patriquin comes to Ferris from New River Community and Technical College in West Virginia, where she was dean for Transfer and Pre-Professional Programs with that multi-campus operation.

Patriquin said she is honored to lead a Ferris DCCL program held in high regard with proven positive results.

“It is a strong program with a history of success, as graduates serve this university or their schools with great ability and distinction,” Patriquin said. “I really embrace Ferris’ mission and tradition of practical application learning, supported by faculty with real-world experience, which is very appealing. This is such a beautiful campus, and I am looking forward to engaging with our DCCL cohorts.”

Extended and International Operations Associate Dean Jennifer Hegenauer said the program reaps benefits from Patriquin’s 25-plus years of faculty and administrative community college experience.

“We began this program to meet a significant need, as community college leaders regionally and nationally were coming to retirement age in great numbers,” Hegenauer said. “Wendy’s experiences with curriculum development, Higher Learning Commission accreditation processes, and as a presenter at many educational conventions will help us grow and improve DCCL for our cohorts.

Patriquin’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Ohio University, master’s degrees in international affairs from The American University and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a doctorate in Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland.

Her dissertation focused on developing intercultural competence in community college career and technical programs.

“I feel my experiences in faculty development can be brought to bear to help DCCL faculty and administrators place their focus on student success and development, along with growth and accomplishment for our university,” Patriquin said.

The Doctorate in Community College Leadership began in June 2010 and welcomed its 14th cohort in Summer 2023. DCCL learning is also accessible at Harper College in Illinois and four cohorts are completed, continuing or beginning at Lone Star College in The Woodlands, Texas.