FLINT, Mich. — A lawsuit filed by the faculty union at Mott Community College (MCC) regarding the school’s presidential hiring process has been dismissed by an Ingham County Circuit Court judge, but the union says it will continue to pursue the matter through arbitration and other available legal channels.
Attorneys for MCC and the Mott board of Trustees had filed motions requesting dismissal of the case under Michigan law, which the court granted.
On July 22, 2025 Judge Richard Garcia ruled in favor of MCC and its Board of Trustees, granting summary disposition and dismissing the case brought by the Mott Community College Education Association (MCCEA) Faculty Union. The union had alleged that the Board’s process in hiring the college’s current president was undermined by a conflict of interest and lacked transparency.
In a July 23 a press release, MCC and its Board of Trustees said they were “extremely pleased” with the judge’s decision and emphasized their commitment to providing “high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities” for students in a “multicultural community.”
The MCC Board of Trustees and College sought summary disposition and early dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the board’s authority to determine the presidential selection process. The court granted the motion, dismissing the case in its entirety. In its ruling, the court found that the conflict of interest allegation raised by the union had been appropriately addressed by the MCC Board of Trustees, according to the press release.
However, according to a statement from the MCCEA, the court dismissed one complaint but noted the union could pursue legal action after exhausting the grievance procedures outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“We are encouraged by the court’s recognition of the importance of our contractual grievance process,” said Brian Littleton, president of the MCCEA Faculty Union. “While we are moving forward with arbitration, we are also carefully considering all of our legal options to ensure the highest standards of integrity and accountability are upheld at Mott Community College.”
The union’s concerns center on MCC Board Trustee Sue Couch’s participation in the hiring vote, which they argue presents a conflict of interest. In addition to the hiring dispute, MCCEA has raised concerns about Couch’s conduct on social media, citing past remarks the union describes as disparaging toward minorities and marginalized communities.
MCCEA and other collective bargaining groups sent letters to the Board in February and again in June requesting an investigation into Couch’s conduct. The union says the Board has not responded to either letter.