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The Higher Learning Commission has cleared Mott Community College of breaching accreditation requirements after it received an anonymous complaint about a possible conflict-of-interest issue on the board, MLive Media Group reported.
The complaint alleged that Shaunda Richardson-Snell, then the interim president of the college, hired a trustee’s daughter as her real estate agent to buy a new home. The board’s former attorney, William Brickley, told the board in December that he thought this information should have been disclosed by the board chair, who knew of the matter, before the board voted to make Richardson-Snell the permanent president in November. The board then voted, again, to make her permanent, though Richardson-Snell suggested they do a national search.
The HLC launched an inquiry regarding the college’s compliance with several accreditation criteria, including whether Mott has a conflict-of-interest policy for its governing board and senior administrators and ensures “fair and ethical behavior” among employees.
The college issued a response in January, arguing that former board chair Andy Everman had already investigated the matter, ascertained there was no conflict of interest and asked Richardson-Snell to submit a written disclosure, which she did.
“I was highly confident throughout this process that Mott Community College was in full and complete compliance with HLC standards,” Richardson-Snell said in a statement. “The HLC’s determination in this matter solidly reiterates that MCC’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff work tirelessly to uphold the highest standards in delivering education and training to our students.”
