DOWAGIAC — Former South Bend Community School Corp. Superintendent Carole Schmidt, Ph.D., has been elected Southwestern Michigan College Foundation vice president effective July 1.

Schmidt, of Magician Lake, retired in June 2016 after five years as South Bend superintendent and three years each in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. Her career began in 1968 teaching English at Dowagiac Central Middle School. She attended Arizona State University for three years, but graduated from Central Michigan University.

Schmidt has been a part-time instructor at Indiana University South Bend, Western Michigan University and the University of Arizona, from which she earned a master’s degree in counseling and guidance and her doctorate in teaching and teacher education.

Schmidt, who has chaired the United Way of Southwest Michigan campaign, said her first year on the foundation board and its planned giving committee proved to be “a very positive experience.”

“SMC is key to growth in this region,” Schmidt said. “It has an incredible record of success. The broader community, even those who left the area, continue to contribute to the college. I’d like to see us have more connections with students and get to know them better,” perhaps through mentoring.

This nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation established in 1970 bridges the financial gap between students’ needs and resources with scholarships. To support changing lives, visitswmich.edu/giving. Or, contact Director of Development Eileen Toney, foundation executive director, at: SMC Foundation, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047; (269) 782-1301; or etoney@swmich.edu.