Skip to main contentSkip to main navigation
Explore Chancellor's Office

Biography

Peter M. Provenzano Jr. 

Peter M. Provenzano Jr.

Chancellor Peter Provenzano is a fixture across Oakland Community College and its multiple campuses, working to infuse a shared vision for student and community success with genuineness and endless energy.

Since joining OCC in 2014, Provenzano has led several transformative initiatives, including advancing the College’s strategic goal to double the number of students who graduate by 2028. He empowers every OCC student to succeed through academic excellence and wrap-around services, equity and inclusion, and a collaborative, mission-driven culture, listening closely to students, employees and the community. In his second year as Chancellor, he led the passage of a $45 million, 10-year millage renewal with a resounding 72% voter approval.

To keep the College focused on the success of its students, Provenzano leverages his finance background and holds his team accountable for data-driven decision making when planning and measuring outcomes. He balances the hard data with his personal style, gathering information by walking around OCC’s campuses talking and listening to students, faculty and staff. This approach proved crucial in moving the College to offering more online courses and degrees to address student need and demand; and creating greater access to redesigned programs and support services for every student.

Provenzano has repositioned OCC for growth during a time of national enrollment decline. Together with Board of Trustees’ support, the College has invested in campus infrastructure; strengthened its collaborative partnerships with businesses, K-12, higher education, state and county partners, and the community; and maintains one of the lowest tuition rates in Michigan. His “One OCC” vision centers on delivering a consistent, high-quality student experience, modeling support of individuals in their academic and career goals across the College, and setting the gold standard in higher education.

Career Highlights

  • Chancellor, Oakland Community College 
  • Interim Chancellor, Oakland Community College
  • Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, Oakland Community College
  • Finance Director and CFO, County of Macomb
  • Assistant City Manager/Controller and CFO, City of Roseville
  • Controller, Parish Publications
  • Auditor, Plante & Moran, LLP 

Accomplishments at OCC

Educational Excellence and Innovation

  • Led enrollment initiatives resulting in more than four years of sustained growth; Fall of 2024 marked the highest enrollment since 2019; highest average credit hours in 20 years; increased new enrollment by more than 23% for Fall of 2024
  • Spearheaded OCC’s future state-of-the-art educational spaces opening a new Culinary Arts Institute (Royal Oak, Fall 2025) and Science and Information Technology building (Auburn Hills, Fall 2021); broke ground on a new Heath Sciences Building (Orchard Ridge, scheduled to open Fall 2027); expansion of Emergency Services Training facilities (Auburn Hills & Southfield); and first public/private partnership with LCAAA for an Athletics Complex (Orchard Ridge)
  • Partnered with Walsh College, Wayne State University, Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (APACC), Consuls General, Cranbrook Institute of Science, and Farmington Public Schools PREP Adult Transition Program at the Orchard Ridge Campus to increase student opportunities
  • Partnered with Oakland University to provide on-campus housing options for OCC students, enriching their college experience while offering affordable housing
  • Moved the College to 50% online classes from 5% to address student need and demand, and created greater access to redesigned programs and support services for every student

Student Success, Inclusion and Equity

  • Established College Office of Institutional Standards and Practices
  • Launched OCC Student Success Fund providing more than $100,000 emergency aid to students
  • Received OCC’s largest bequest of $1.1 million funding $55,000 in annual scholarships in perpetuity
  • Championed Faculty-led Open Education Resources initiative, supporting students with free and low-cost materials to reduce barriers saving them more than $1 million in first three years of program
  • Established OCC Foundation’s Provenzano Innovation Fund, personally funding faculty-led classroom innovation to test out new concepts and ideas for students and staff
  • Led Campaign for Culinary Studies Institute with lead personal contribution

Operational Excellence and Stability

  • Instituted 10-year capital plan concentrating on the institutional infrastructure supporting the college’s academic master plan. In first five years, opened and renovated new educational spaces; moved administrative operations to campuses and closed District Office (Bloomfield Hills); and began three-year plan to close Highland Lakes campus (2027)
  • Established 5-year budget, financial forecast and progressive Fund Reserve Policy addressing declining enrollment and adequate financial reserves
  • Led successful passage of $45 million, 10-year millage renewal with resounding 72% voter approval
  • Earned national recognition for fiscal reporting and transparency--one of only two community colleges in Michigan--with annual issuance of award-winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), Budget Report and Public Annual Financial Report (PAFR)
  • Launched College’s first comprehensive brand campaign and introduced a new student-driven mascot—the first in 60 years

Community & Professional Leadership 

  • Board Member, Michigan Educational Trust
  • Board Member and Former Chair, Michigan Community College Association
  • Board Member, Automation Alley
  • Board Member, Detroit Economic Club
  • Board Member, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition
  • Leadership Committee, Oakland 80 by 30
  • Treasurer, Immanuel Lutheran Endowment
  • Member, Association of Community College Trustees
  • Member, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
  • Member, American Council on Education
  • Member, American Association of Community Colleges

Education & Credentials

  • MS in Public Administration, Central Michigan University
  • BS in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, Wayne State University
  • Certified Public Accountant, State of Michigan
  • Chartered Global Management Accountant, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants