Board of Governors

Director of DEI External Partnerships, General Motors (retired)

Marina L. Shoemaker served as Director of DEI External Partnerships for General Motors, where she expanded the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion impact through strategic external partnerships and helped guide its response to the evolving demographics and needs of customers and employees worldwide. During her 33-year career with General Motors, she became the first woman to serve as National Director of the GM Dealer Development Program, overseeing the growth, profitability and retention of more than 400 minority- and women-owned dealerships generating over $11 billion in annual sales. She also created Drive to Succeed, a dealer-funded scholarship program supporting career pathways for women in the automotive retail industry.

As President of the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, Shoemaker is committed to fostering long-term donor support in service to the students and communities that the Foundation serves. She brings extensive experience in consumer research, product marketing, automotive retail and leadership development, along with a passion for solving complex challenges and advancing human potential. She values Schoolcraft’s forward-thinking culture and its strong commitment to student success.

Shoemaker earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and was awarded an honorary Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Schoolcraft in 2022. She was inducted into the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence in 2020 and is an active member of the Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She previously served as president of the Ann Arbor Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and as co-chair of the Schoolcraft College Foundation’s Vision 2025 campaign, which exceeded its goal by nearly $10 million.

Northville Township Economic Development Council Board – Chair

Ram Ramanujam served as an executive leader in manufacturing engineering and global program management during his 33-year career at General Motors.

As Vice President of the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, Ram views the impact of philanthropy as especially powerful at the community college level. He aims to connect people with their passion, whether they are students, patrons, educators or donors looking for ways to support their community. He values Schoolcraft College’s role in transforming lives and believes every interaction strengthens both the student experience and the broader community. He believes that anytime 911 is called, a Schoolcraft alum is likely to respond, and it demonstrates the integration of Schoolcraft in the community.

Ram earned his Master of Business Administration in General Management from the University of Michigan, his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University, and his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Trichy (NITT).

He serves as Chair of the Northville Township Economic Development Corporation and Vice President of Scholarships for the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan Asian American and Pacific Islander Club. He is also a member of the program committee for Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and serves on the Audit Committee of Tamil Sangam Michigan, among other activities.

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments

Retired Senior Fire Captain, Livonia Fire & Rescue

Retired Dean of Instruction

Clyde Rivard served as a firefighter for the City of Livonia from 1982-2008, retiring at the rank of Senior Captain. During his tenure, he played a foundational role in shaping fire service education at Schoolcraft College, developing and administering the College’s Fire Academy and Fire Technology Program as its first coordinator from 1989 to 2002. He later served as Dean of Instruction at Cleary University, where he contributed to academic leadership and program development.

Rivard values the relationships fostered through the College and sees strong partnerships between the College and external organizations as essential to creating real-world opportunities for student success. He is committed to advancing the College’s role in providing accessible education, workforce training and pathways for diverse populations across the region. He is especially focused on bridging educational divides and cultivating local talent to meet community needs.

Rivard earned his Master of Business Administration in Business Management, as well as his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Cleary University, and his Associate of Applied Science in Fire Technology from Schoolcraft. He is a recipient of Schoolcraft College’s Presidential Recognition and Outstanding Service awards, Cleary University’s President’s Award and was named Firefighter of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1992.

Express Employment Professionals

• Express Leadership Academy, 2 yr Leadership Program
• Bachelor of Business Administration, Northwood University
• Associate Degree of Marketing and Management, Northwood University
• Associate Degree of Advertising, Northwood University

Schoolcraft Ambassador

Retired Counselor, Schoolcraft College

Stuart Baker has dedicated more than four decades of service to Schoolcraft College, concluding his role as a counselor in Student Services. He began his career at the College in 1973 by establishing an Information and Service Center in Garden City, before moving to the College Relations Office to support institutional marketing efforts. He later launched the College’s Business Development Center and transitioned into academic leadership as Assistant Dean of Continuing Education and then as Assistant Dean of College Centers. Baker ultimately spent 25 years in Student Services, where he helped students shape their academic paths and career goals.

Known affectionately as “Mr. Schoolcraft,” Baker built his career around fostering an environment that provided support to encourage and inspire students. Since retiring in 2018, he has remained actively engaged through the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, contributing to the Finance Committee, supporting workforce and education initiatives, and serving as a liaison to the Schoolcraft Retiree Committee. A participant in the Vision 2025 campaign, he continues to advance the Foundation’s mission through his ongoing involvement.

Baker earned his Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Michigan, his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Western Michigan University and his Associate of Arts from Henry Ford Community College. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan and a Credentialed Distance Counselor.  Alongside his wife, Nora Baker, he has demonstrated a strong philanthropic commitment through their charitable gift annuity and membership in the Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Society, reflecting their shared commitment to student success through legacy giving.

Vice President of R&D, Transportation & Energy Business, 3M

Ashwini Balasubramanian serves as Vice President of Research & Development for the Transportation & Energy Business Unit for 3M. Previously, she was the Head of Motorcycle Development Strategy & Operations at Harley-Davidson, where she served as an executive leader responsible for global hybrid organization. A veteran of the mobility and manufacturing sectors, Balasubramanian brings more than 20 years of global leadership and engineering management experience across organizations like Bosch, Toyota, ZF and Martinrea. She is recognized for her expertise in corporate strategy, product development, customer insight, and sustainability initiatives.

With a passion for turning concepts into reality, Balasubramanian is deeply committed to creating opportunity for others. In 2023, She and her husband, Ravi Ramamurthy established the Shiksha Scholarship Fund to help economically challenged Schoolcraft College students pursue higher education. She is also a dedicated advocate for women in industry, frequently sharing her career journey in professional forums to advance women’s leadership across the automotive industry.

Balasubramanian earned her Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from SSM College of Engineering. She is a Certified Sustainability Excellence Associate through the International Society of Sustainability Professionals. She was named “Rising Star” in 2019 by Automotive News and was the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science Alum of the Year in 2025. Beyond her service to the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, Balasubramanian also serves as a board member of OLSOM, Inc. and is President of the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation.

President and Chief Operating Officer, AlphaUSA

Charles L. Dardas serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Alpha USA, an engineering and product development manufacturer based in Livonia. He started his career at Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst and Young) and became a Certified Public Accountant in Michigan in 1978. His career journey took a pivotal turn at an automotive supplier in Alma, MI, where he merged his expertise in accounting with his knowledge of cars. This laid the groundwork for Dardas to develop a career beyond accountancy and begin his lifelong career in the automotive industry. The original auto supplier that he worked for was sold in 1998, but the foundation that it provided him established his future leadership in the field.

Schoolcraft College’s engagement with the business community first drew Dardas to the campus, alongside the leadership and community spirit fostered by college leadership. He is committed to strengthening connections between Schoolcraft and local public-school systems while expanding the reach and impact of the Schoolcraft College Foundation through the relationships he has developed throughout his career. Dardas is passionate about creating pathways for young adults transitioning from high school into the workforce, ensuring they have meaningful opportunities to pursue higher education.

Dardas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University. He is actively involved with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, the Livonia First Responders Foundation and Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families. He is a proud father of two daughters, grandfather of two grandchildren, and husband of more than 50 years.

President & Founder of TrilogySecurity, Inc.

• CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2)
• CISM – Certified Information Security Manager (ISACA)
• State of Michigan Professional Investigator

Director of System Support Services, Henry Ford Health

David Groth currently serves as Director of System Support Services for Henry Ford Health. In this role, he oversees system operations for environmental services, patient transport and the culinary and wellness programs. Previously, he served as Administrator for Support Services and Regional Director of Supply Chain Management at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.

With a deep appreciation for the sense of fellowship fostered by Schoolcraft College, Groth views workforce development as a key opportunity for both students and the broader community. He is committed to strengthening collaborative partnerships that positively impact students and provide the foundation for long-term success. He is also dedicated to expanding pathways to education by creating nontraditional opportunities and removing financial and systemic barriers that can prevent students from pursuing higher education.

Groth earned his Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University. He is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a past member of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, a former board member of Metro Detroit Areas Hospital Services and a member of Leadership Oakland.

• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan and a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit and American Society of Civil Engineers
• BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan

Vice President, Talent Acquisition and Development and Chief Diversity Officer at McLaren Health Care

• Diversity & Inclusion Certification, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Certified Outsourcing Professional Certification
• MBA from The University of Michigan
• BS degree in Engineering from Michigan State University

Real estate agent with KW Professionals

• B.S. in Business Management with a minor in Marketing from Knoxville College
• A proud member and Past President of the Livonia AM Rotary Club.

Lawyer at Kerr, Russell and Weber, PLC

• Chair of the Labor, Employment, Employee Benefits & ERISA Practice Group
• JD University of Detroit School of Law
• Michigan Business Law Journal
• BA Michigan State University, James Madison College

Chief of Strategic Partnerships, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Vehicle Technology Office

Soraya Kim Larkin serves as an Automotive and Energy Executive. Previously, as Chief of Strategic Partnerships for the United States Department of Energy, she led partnerships with U.S. DRIVE and the 21st Century Truck Partnership to identify and advance emerging transportation technologies. She brings extensive experience from prior senior leadership positions at the American Center for Mobility and Ford Motor Company as well.

As a member of the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, Larkin is committed to helping equip Schoolcraft College students with the forward-looking skills and real-world expertise needed to thrive in the economy of tomorrow. She prioritizes research and collaboration in emerging technologies so that, as innovation accelerates, the workforce is prepared to meet rapidly evolving industry demands.

Larkin earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy, her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto,

Owner & Executive Chef of Two Unique Caterers & Event Planners

• WBENC Certified – Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
• Raw Cooking Certification
• American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef 2018
• Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts Graduate

Professor of Political Science/History, Schoolcraft College

Dr. Alec Thomson currently serves as a Professor of Political Science and History at Schoolcraft College, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1999. He is the Editor of The Community College Enterprise, a peer-reviewed research journal owned by Schoolcraft, and serves as President of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), an organization dedicated to promoting and protecting higher education. For more than a decade, he served as President of Schoolcraft’s Faculty Forum and as President of the Michigan Association for Higher Education (MAHE).

Daily interaction with students is what Dr. Thomson appreciates most about Schoolcraft. Whether in the classroom, at campus activities, or through everyday conversations, students provide him with a window into the transformational experiences the College helps create. He is committed to supporting new, innovative learning opportunities that foster this transformation. Dr. Thomson also hopes to continue growing support for the Schoolcraft College Foundation, helping to expand the resources available and enhance the College’s educational offerings.

Dr. Thomson earned his PHD from Wayne State University, his Master of Arts in History from Arizona State University, and his Bachelor of Science and his Master of Science in Political Science from Wayne State University. He serves as Secretary of the Farmington Hills Historic District Commission.

President & CEO at Michigan Manufacturers Association

• JD Wayne State University Law School
• BA Political Science, Michigan State University

Marketing and Analytics Executive

• BS and MS Advertising from University of Illinois