Biography

Peter M. Provenzano Jr.

Chancellor Peter Provenzano is a fixture on OCC campuses as he works to infuse a shared vision for student and community success with genuineness and endless energy.

Since joining the College in 2014, Provenzano has led several major initiatives, including focusing on the College’s strategic goal to double the number of students who graduate by 2028. He empowers every OCC student to succeed through academic excellence, a focus on equity and inclusion, and a collaborative, mission-based employee culture. He listens equally to the needs and voice of the community. In his second year as Chancellor, he led the passage of a $45 million, 10-year millage renewal with a resounding 72% voter approval.

To keep the College focused on the success of its students, Provenzano leverages his finance background and holds his team accountable for data-driven decision making when planning and measuring outcomes. He balances the hard data with his personal style, gathering information by walking around OCC’s campuses talking and listening to students, faculty and staff. This approach proved crucial in moving the College to offering more online courses and degrees to address student need and demand; and creating greater access to redesigned programs and support services for every student.

Provenzano has repositioned OCC for growth during a time of national enrollment decline. Together with Board of Trustees' support, the College has invested in campus infrastructure and strengthened its collaborative partnerships with businesses, K-12, higher education, state and county partners, and the community—all while maintaining one of the lowest tuition rates in Michigan. His vision of “One OCC is to be the gold standard in higher education, providing a consistent student experience and modeling the best ways to support individuals in their academic and career goals across the College."

Career Highlights

Chancellor, Oakland Community College
Interim Chancellor, Oakland Community College
Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, Oakland Community College
Finance Director and CFO, County of Macomb
Assistant City Manager/Controller and CFO, City of Roseville
Controller, Parish Publications
Auditor, Plante & Moran, LLP

Accomplishments at OCC

Educational Excellence and Innovation

Led enrollment initiatives resulting in more than four years of sustained growth; Fall of 2024 has highest enrollment since 2019; highest average credit hours in 20 years; increased new enrollment by more than 23% for Fall of 2024
Spearheaded OCC’s future state-of-the-art educational spaces opening new Science and Information Technology building (Auburn Hills); broke ground on new Culinary Studies Institute (Royal Oak); and planned construction of Heath Sciences Building (Orchard Ridge); and Emergency Services Training facility expansion (Auburn Hills)
Partnered with Walsh College, Wayne State University, Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (APACC), Consuls General, and Farmington Public Schools PREP Adult Transition Program at the Orchard Ridge Campus to increase student opportunities
Partnered with Oakland University to provide on-campus housing options for OCC students, enriching their college experience while offering affordable housing
Moved the College to 50% online classes from 5% to address student need and demand, and created greater access to redesigned programs and support services for every student

Student Success, Inclusion and Equity

Established College Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
Launched OCC Student Success Fund providing more than $100,000 to students experiencing non-tuition financial emergencies
Received OCC’s largest bequest of $1.1 million funding $55,000 in annual scholarships in perpetuity
Championed Faculty-led Open Education Resources initiative, supporting students with free and low-cost materials to reduce barriers saving them more than $1 million in first three years of program
Established OCC Foundation’s Provenzano Innovation Fund, personally funding faculty-led classroom innovation to test out new concepts and ideas for students and staff

Operational Excellence and Stability

Instituted 10-year capital plan concentrating on the institutional infrastructure supporting the college’s academic master plan. In first five years, opened and renovated new educational spaces; moved administrative operations to campuses and closed District Office (Bloomfield Hills); and began three-year plan to close Highland Lakes campus (Fall 2025)
Established 5-year budget, financial forecast and progressive Fund Reserve Policy addressing declining enrollment and adequate financial reserves
Led passage of a $45 million, 10-year millage renewal with a resounding 72% voter approval
Originated issuance of award-winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR); perennial winner, and one of only two community colleges in Michigan, of national awards for budgeting and Public Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for excellence in fiscal reporting and financial transparency
Launched College’s first comprehensive brand campaign

Community & Professional Leadership

Chair, Board Member, Michigan Community College Association
Leadership Committee, Oakland 80 by 30
Board Member, Automation Alley
Board Member, Detroit Economic Club
Board Member, Michigan Workforce Training and Education Collaborative
Treasurer, Immanuel Lutheran Endowment
Member, Association of Community College Trustees
Member, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Member, American Council on Education
Member, Royal Oak Civic Foundation
Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants Education & Credentials

Education & Credentials

MS in Public Administration, Central Michigan University
BS in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, Wayne State University
Certified Public Accountant, State of Michigan
Chartered Global Management Accountant, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants