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Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District, has assumed the role of Chairperson of the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) Board. His appointment to the seven-member independent board was made by Wayne County Executive Warren Evans in 2020.
The WCAA is responsible for the strategic operation and management of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport. Detroit Metro Airport consistently ranks as one of the busiest and most acclaimed airports globally, securing the top spot in customer satisfaction in North America according to J.D. Power and Associates. It has also been honored with the Airport Efficiency Excellence Award by the Air Transport Research Society. Together, Detroit Metro Airport and Willow Run Airport form a prominent air transportation hub, facilitating over 800 flights daily to more than 125 nonstop destinations across three continents. This hub contributes significantly to the region, generating a $10.2 billion annual economic impact and supporting over 86,000 jobs in Michigan.
Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, Ivery stated, “I am honored by this appointment and the opportunity to collaborate with my board colleagues to advance one of the most crucial transportation hubs globally. Detroit Metro and Willow Run are essential components of the economic engine propelling our region forward. It is truly exhilarating to champion that movement and contribute to our region’s thriving present and future.”
In his role as Chancellor of WCCCD, Ivery oversees the largest urban/suburban multi-campus community college district in Michigan. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in early education and equity, workforce development, and leadership. Under his leadership, WCCCD transformed into a dynamic six-campus college district, serving more than 60,000 credit and non-credit students annually. Ivery played a pivotal role in workforce development efforts throughout the county, creating over 500 academic and career degree and certificate programs to cultivate a highly skilled workforce in southeast Michigan.
Apart from his role at WCCCD, Ivery actively participates in various local, state, and national organizations and boards, including esteemed entities like the American Association of Community Colleges and the Commission on Economic and Workforce Development. His accolades encompass the prestigious CEO of the Year Award from the American Association of Community Colleges, the Leadership Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the distinguished Trumpet Award for Education. In December 2023, the University of Arkansas honored Ivery with the Alumni of the Year award, acknowledging his outstanding achievements in both professional and personal capacities within the realms of education and healthcare. Notably, Ivery holds the distinction of being the first African American appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Governor’s Cabinet in the state of Arkansas, serving as the Commissioner for the Department of Health and Human Services.
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