OCC Women Play Pivotal Roles in College’s History

Patsy J. Fulton-Calkins

First female chancellor at OCC, 1991-1995

OCC’s first female chancellor Fulton-Calkins’ most significant accomplishment was convincing Oakland County voters to approve the College’s first millage increase in June 1995. She co-authored many books and articles, including Office Procedures and Technology for Colleges and Exploring Human Relations. Before joining OCC, Fulton-Calkins spent nearly 7 years as president of Brookhaven College in Dallas, vice president of instruction at colleges in Dallas and Texas and taught at three colleges as well as high school. She earned two degrees in business education and a doctorate in college teaching from North Texas State University. Fulton-Calkins was known as a controversial leader at OCC.

Mary Spangler

Second female chancellor at OCC, 2004-2007

Spangler devoted her career to community colleges and its students. Before joining OCC, she was president of Los Angeles City College and retired as chancellor and CEO of Houston Community College System. Spangler was named one of the "50 Most Influential Women in Houston" by Houston Woman Magazine. In addition to her leadership posts, she co-authored four books on writing. Spangler received a bachelor’s degree in English from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and a masters in English and a doctorate in Education from the University of California.

Christine Gram

First female OCC Campus President (Auburn Hills) 1984-1992; OCC employee 1965-1992

Gram joined OCC in 1965 when the new college opened. The mother of six taught Economics at Highland Lakes until the Orchard Ridge campus opened in 1967. She served as president of Oakland Community College Faculty Association from 1976-1987 and, in 1981, was selected to chair OCC’s Department of Economics and Political Science. In 1979, Gram returned to Highland Lakes as dean. In 1984, she became provost of the rapidly growing, technology-focused Auburn Hills campus—her job title that later changed to president. In addition to her OCC leadership, Gram served as a North Central Association of Colleges and Schools evaluator. She was listed in “Who’s Who in American Women.”

Constance Jones

First female Supervisor, OCC Building and Grounds (Auburn Hills) 1988-1995; College employee 1978-2004

Jones’ career at OCC began in 1978 when she attended classes and worked as a library clerk in the Orchard Ridge document department. Later, she worked as an afternoon maintenance person at the campus, then transferred to Central Office working in Shipping and Receiving. In May 1988, she became OCC’s first female Building and Grounds supervisor and went on to become the Highland Lakes Campus Building and Grounds Superintendent from 1995-2004. An OCC graduate, Jones completed a bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University.

Lila Jones Johnson

First female Board Member, OCC Board of Trustees, 1964-1980

For many years, Johnson was the only woman on the OCC Board of Trustees. She was one of the College’s early founders, serving on the original citizens’ committee to establish OCC. Johnson was a strong supporter of establishing an OCC campus in South Oakland County. In recognition of her years of service to OCC, the Royal Oak campus named its theatre after her. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Johnson completed postgraduate work at Wayne State University and was the public relations director for an international trade association.

Helen Kaiser

First female OCC Board of Trustees Secretary, 1964-1982

Kaiser was hired in Fall 1964 and assigned to work with the OCC president and his staff. During her second year, she was named secretary of the Board and became an officer at the College. Kaiser was responsible for “everything from typing Board agendas to creating the College’s first policy manual and revising it over the next 18 years.” Before she retired in 1982, Kaiser suggested OCC establish a formal archive, now called the Helen S. Kaiser Archives. The former conference room at District Office also was named in her honor. Kaiser was so passionate about the concept of community college that she persuaded her younger son to be one of OCC’s first students and attended the first two years the College was open.

Tyiame Brown

First student representative on OCC’s Board of Trustees, 1993-1994

In 1993, OCC’s Board of Trustees welcomed Brown, a 39-year-old woman, as its first student representative. The new position gave students a standing platform to voice their concerns directly to those who create College policy. Trustee David Hackett described student representation on the Board as an “historic moment for OCC.” The student representative position had been shared by OCC’s four Phi Theta Kappa honor society chapter presidents. In 2023, the four Phi Theta Kappa chapters were merged into one College chapter. Currently any student leader who is willing to represent the department of Student Engagement can be chosen.