The longtime leader of a western Massachusetts community college is stepping down.
Holyoke Community College President William Messner informed the school’s board of trustees Tuesday of his intention to retire at the end of July.
During Messner’s 12 year tenure as president, the college increased programs, expanded the campus with a new business center, a health education facility, and the recently announced Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts located in a former mill building in downtown Holyoke.
"It seems to make good sense to be part of the renaissance of the city," Messner said in January at the announcement of a $1.55 million federal grant to construct the new center.
Messner,70, has spent 30 years as a college president, including ten at Orange County Community College in New York.
