Kirtland Community College Announces New Academic Leadership Team

Kirtland Community College Announces New Academic Leadership Team to Drive Program Innovation, and Regional Partnerships
By Kirtland Community College Communication and Marketing Department

    GRAYLING, Mich. — Kirtland Community College announced three new academic leaders for its institutional leadership team. Following an extensive nationwide search led by committees of Kirtland faculty and staff, Kirtland appointed Gina Mezzano-Ostien as Dean of Arts and Sciences, Eric Fradette as Dean of Occupational Programs, and Kim Blake as Director of Nursing and Allied Health.

“I am very excited about our new leadership team for the Division of Academic Affairs. We have some great plans ahead of us in terms of broadening the scope of what we offer at Kirtland. And -- having the right team in place will make this happen. Eric, Gina, and Kim did an outstanding job in their interviews and demonstrated a strong commitment to the College's mission,” said Kirtland Community College President Gary Roberts.

Their collaboration with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, John Thiel, will no doubt help us take Kirtland Community College to the next level in terms of what we provide for our community said Kirtland’s President Dr. Gary Roberts

The appointments follow a transformative period for Kirtland’s academic administration near the end of 2025, when several administrative vacancies came together. The previous Director of Nursing accepted a teaching position at her alma mater, the former Dean of Occupational Programs retired, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences position opened after former dean John Thiel transitioned into his current role as Vice President of Academic Affairs.

"Near the end of 2025, the pieces fell into place to require us to build an entirely new Academic leadership team to support me less than one year into my time as Kirtland's Vice President of Academic Affairs," said Thiel. "I knew that we were about to enter into a challenging period of searching for the right pieces to complete this leadership puzzle. After many conversations,

meetings, and interviews, I think we've assembled the ideal team to help take Kirtland's academic programs into exciting new directions!"

The recruitment process involved screening applicants from across the country, conducting initial Zoom interviews with top candidates, and inviting finalists to campus for facility tours, in-person committee meetings, and open forums with faculty and staff.

While professional experience and academic credentials were foundational requirements, Thiel emphasized that candidates also needed to align naturally with Kirtland’s distinctively collaborative institutional culture.

"Eric, Kim, and Gina all have years of experience as faculty members, which gives them a strong sense of what faculty and students need for support in their teaching and learning," said Thiel. "They also have strong experiences connecting with local employers and schools to build partnerships in the community. Eric and Kim have been at Kirtland for several years as faculty members, but have the talents to become very good administrators in their new roles. Gina comes to us from outside Kirtland, but 'clicked' immediately with the faculty and staff she has worked with so far. I'm really excited to work with such an enthusiastic group of leaders."

Bringing 16 years of higher education experience from Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mezzano-Ostien returns to her native Northern Michigan roots as Dean of Arts and Sciences. A graduate of Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch—a key school district within Kirtland's service area—Mezzano-Ostien began her career in academia 20 years ago as an adjunct instructor before moving into full-time faculty and Associate Department Chair roles focused on assessment, learning outcomes, and faculty support.

Mezzano-Ostien views the arts and sciences as the vital cornerstone for all academic disciplines and career pathways.

"I really believe that the arts and sciences are the foundational skills that sort of underlie everything else—the creativity, the problem solving, all of those skills that you learn in the arts and sciences apply in all of the other areas," stated Mezzano-Ostien. "The person sitting in the history class is maybe not going on to be a history major, but they are going on to be a citizen in the world, and they will need to be able to have a conversation with a patient if they're a nurse, or ask what someone has read lately while doing repairs in HVAC. I want everyone to have that same experience to be able to have those good conversations and participate in the community as a good citizen."

Mezzano-Ostien noted that when reviewing other interviews and job opportunities presented to her at the time Kirtland was reaching out, it was an interaction during her interview that was the ultimate decision factor in accepting the position of Dean of Arts and Sciences.

"I had a couple of interviews here and there; it was really the one that I had with Kirtland that kind of really shook me a little bit," said Mezzano-Ostien. "It felt like everyone was very welcoming. It felt like the right place, the right time, and I was glad to hear that they agreed. And they brought me on."

Fradette steps into the role of Dean of Occupational Programs after serving for years as full-time faculty at Kirtland. He brings an extensive blend of real-world industrial expertise, 13 years of full-time teaching experience, and a background in university administration.

A first-generation college student originally from Cheboygan, Michigan, Fradette began his career in trade industry operations. He served as the Midstate Service Instructor for the United Association, directing HVACR journeyman apprenticeship training across centers in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Jackson, and Saginaw. He later served for seven years as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator at Ferris State University before joining Kirtland’s faculty.

"I've got a strong industry background. That background, coupled with 13 years as full-time faculty, being a first-generation college student, and administrative experience at Ferris State University, made me feel like a good bridge between all the different stakeholders that the position serves," said Fradette. "One of the things that talked me into applying is that I knew the leadership at Kirtland already and I know how strong the faculty are. I'm super excited to work with faculty, build industry relationships, make sure our curriculum aligns with industry goals, and help students prepare for the workforce and get jobs."

Fradette highlighted Kirtland’s student-first ethos as a major reason for his long-term commitment to the institution:

"Why I want to stay at Kirtland is definitely because of the culture. Everybody that works here puts the students first. It’s a culture where everybody works together for the same mission—it's never an 'us against them' type attitude."

Rounding out the new leadership team is Blake, who transitions into the position of Director of Nursing and Allied Health. Selected from Kirtland’s faculty body, Blake brings hands-on clinical teaching experience and deep knowledge of healthcare workforce needs across Northern Michigan.

With over 20 years’ experience in progressive healthcare leadership spanning nursing education, clinical operations, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, risk management, and workforce development, Blake brings into her new role as Director of Nursing and Allied Health a strong understanding of programming and real-world expectations.

“I believe in servant leadership. My role is to remove barriers, support faculty, encourage innovation, and create an environment where students and educators can be successful,” said Blake. “The vision is to build programs that prepare graduates who are clinically competent, compassionate, and ready to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Michigan. Collaboration with healthcare partners and continuous innovation will be key to that vision.”

Blake credits her decision to accept the position as Kirtland’s new Director of Nursing and Allied Health to her long history of working with faculty and staff, and the institution's commitment not only to its students, but the communities it serves.

"What excites me most about this new role is the opportunity to support both our faculty and students while continuing to grow high-quality healthcare programs that serve our communities," said Blake. "Kirtland has a strong reputation for serving students and the surrounding communities."

A unique feature of Kirtland Community College’s administrative structure is the daily, close collaboration among its academic deans. Unlike larger four-year universities where deans operate in isolated schools, Kirtland’s deans work side-by-side every day to align programs and support students holistically.

"We all come from different areas, and we're all relatively new to this position, so we're going to be learning together and bouncing ideas off each other," Fradette noted. "Every one of us respects the other division and wants the best for the other divisions."

With all three key leadership positions filled, Kirtland is poised to strengthen connections with regional employers and school districts, advance major campus initiatives—such as the Gaylord millage and upcoming Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation visit—and expand educational opportunities throughout Northern Michigan, aligning leadership with the college’s broader priorities.

About Kirtland Community College

Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000.