PORT HURON – St. Clair County Community College is more than just a school to Marysville City Manager Randy Fernandez; it’s like family.
Not only did he attend the college but so did his five siblings, two sons and even four nephews. The oldest of six, Fernandez, 62, shares his alumni status with his three brothers, Marty, Jeff and Ralph, Jr.; two sisters, Paula McVety and Laura Ann Nesbitt, a middle school counselor in Fort Gratiot; two sons, Mitchell and Matthew, and their mother, Shelly; and nephews, Garrett, Grant, Nelson and Bailey.
While the Fernandez family is split when it comes to school colors of blue and green, the one thing they never debate about is the value of their local community college.
“I truly enjoyed my experience at SC4,” he said. “I recommend it to every student or parent who asks. I think it’s the way to go.”
The Port Huron native graduated from Port Huron Central as class vice president in 1974 before attending SC4 on a partial tennis scholarship and earning his associate’s degree.
“For me, it was a natural progression,” he said. “I had a job. I loved my parents and my siblings. I honestly wasn’t ready to go away. Plus, I’m not sure every student or parent can afford it today.”
Fernandez said he formed good study habits and life skills at the college that have stayed with him long beyond his years there.
“From high school to college, it helped me use my time management skills better,” he said. “I’m very proud to have a Michigan degree, but I’m equally proud to tell them I have a degree from St. Clair County Community College.”
Fernandez went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan where he roomed with fellow community college transfer classmates Bob Wacker, Tim Redmond and Neil Lucas.
“It was just a no-brainer to me to transition from community college,” he said. “After two years, I was ready. I was more prepared as a student and as an individual to make the jump to Michigan.”
His early beginnings at SC4 have served Fernandez and the community well.
The State of Michigan’s first Hispanic city manager, Fernandez has spent the last seven years with the City of Marysville, nearly five as city manager, and previously was employed for more than 28 years with the City of Port Huron. There, he wore a half-dozen hats from water supervisor, city assessor and DDA director to overseeing community development, recreation and the McMorran Auditorium. He later earned his master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.
Fernandez said he reinforced the importance of a getting a good educational start at the local community college with his sons Mitchell and Matthew throughout their childhood.
“It was a natural progression that everyone in my family understood, and I re-instilled that with my boys,” Fernandez said. “I think they’re better for it.”
Mitchell is now working for Henderson Brothers, a major insurance company in Pittsburgh, while Matthew, who graduated this spring from Michigan State University with a degree in business/marketing entrepreneurship, is now working with the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County and owns Tee Box Club, an online golf company.
According to Fernandez, SC4 is the perfect place to start with an ever-evolving campus, approachable instructors, and personable staff and administrators.
“I’ve never met the U of M president, and I’ve met every SC4 president since I went there,” Fernandez added. “I’ve even had food and drink with them. You can’t do that at a major university.”
