The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a three-year contract for incoming President Dr. Klint Pleasant.

At a meeting this week, the board approved a contract running from April 6 through April of 2029, with an option for a one-year extension.

Board Chair Thomas Jerdon said trustees reviewed compensation data from Michigan community colleges and national figures before setting Pleasant’s base salary at $219,000. He said the goal was to be fair and competitive.

Pleasant was selected from 128 applicants in a national search last year.

A Michigan native with 28 years of higher education experience, Pleasant has served since 2017 as senior vice president and special assistant to the president at Rochester Christian University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He’s also a longtime basketball coach.

Pleasant will succeed former SMC President Joe Odenwald, who is now president of Alma College.