MC director enjoys helping students attain goalsAugust 19, 2019

For over 40 years, Mike Seerey has been helping students in Texas realize their educational potential.  He has served as a teacher, principal and superintendent for private and public schools throughout Texas.  Now, after retiring from the Midland Independent School District (MISD), Seerey is working at Midland College (MC) as director of Special Programs. 

“I love working in an educational environment!” exclaimed Seerey.  “My most recent job before I retired from public school education was principal at Coleman High School.  That was one of my most rewarding jobs—to be able to mentor and coach students who might not have been successful in a traditional high school.”

During the eight years that Seerey was principal at Coleman, he increased the graduation rate from 30 students to 110 students.

“The only reason I decided to retire was to help care for my father who had Alzheimer’s,” explained Seerey.

Seerey grew up in Hobbs, NM and Midland.  He is a 1972 graduate of Lee High School in Midland and a proud 1975 graduate of Texas A&M University where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry.  In 1981, he received a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from A&M.  He holds teaching certifications in Composite Science, Math and Elementary Education. 

Seerey’s first teaching position was at Allen Academy in Bryan, TX where he taught math and science and coached tennis.  It was also during this time that Seerey managed property for John Sharp, the current chancellor of Texas A&M.

“I had to pay off a new pickup that I purchased for $3,000,” said Seerey with a laugh.

It wasn’t just the new pickup that caused Seerey to need extra money.  He also married his wife Gail.  The couple have been married for 42 years and have one son, two daughters and five grandchildren.

Allen Academy was Seerey’s only position at a private school.  All of his other positions have been with Texas public schools, including serving as the superintendent of Meadows Independent School District and the assistant superintendent at Paradise Independent School District. 

“I was also the tennis coach at Paradise,” explained Seerey.  “In a small school district, one wears many hats!”

In addition, while at Paradise Independent School District, Seerey was responsible for securing approximately $3 million in technology grants for the district.

“I like technology,” said Seerey.  “Some people my age get frustrated with the changes in technology; however, I’ve found that even though it changes, the basic principles are the same.  It just takes a little adjustment and learning to adapt.  I enjoy the challenge of mastering new technology.”

Closer to home, Seerey taught math and science and coached tennis at Greenwood High School for three years and was assistant principal at MISD’s Goddard Junior High.

After his father’s death, Seerey said that he still wanted to do something in the educational field, and he noticed a Midland College job posting for a dual credit advisor.

“This position seemed like it would be perfect for me,” said Seerey.  “It required a knowledge of high school courses and included working with students.”

Seerey began his first day in the field of higher education on March 1, 2018 as MC’s dual credit advisor.  Then, exactly 13 months later, on April 1, 2019, he assumed the position as MC director of Special Programs.  In this capacity, Seerey is responsible for overseeing uniquely designed programs, such as the Texas A&M-Concho Engineering Academy at Midland College.

“They put an Aggie in charge of the Aggie program!” laughed Mike.  “Actually, it’s a great fit for me.  I get to recruit and advise students who are interested in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math], help them enroll in courses at Midland College and A&M and then help them transition into college.

“The new engineering academy is a great deal.  A student can save about $8,000 if he or she just stays here a year before transferring to A&M.  If he or she stays here two years, the savings is $16,000.  Students who enter into the program will also be able to identify with a specific group of students.  Students in the program will take most of the same classes, study together and work on projects together.  I am also in the process of establishing a STEM wing in the MC residence halls for engineering academy students and others enrolled in STEM programs.

“My job is to help students be successful at Midland College and then take those success skills they learn at MC and be able to apply them at A&M.  There are 60,000 students at A&M—it can definitely be overwhelming if you don’t have a support group and some basic foundations for coping with college life.  Helping these students is a great ‘gig!’”

One easily gets the impression that Mike Seerey lives by the motto, “If you love your job, then you will never work a day in your life.” 

“I don’t think Mike ever has a bad day,” said Julia Vickery, MC vice president of Student Services.  “When he first came to Midland College, we were undergoing major changes in our student data software.  This impacted all aspects of the campus and put fall enrollment over two months behind.  Mike took on dual credit enrollment putting in extreme overtime to make up for the time lost.  He is the reason we had enrollment in the academies at MISD.  Mike sought to learn from anyone willing to teach.  He jumped in and contributed from the start.”

When Seerey isn’t helping students discover their educational potential and future career path, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren and playing tennis. 

“I absolutely LOVE tennis,” said Seerey.  “I’ve been playing tennis since I was in junior high school, and I still play a LOT of tennis.  On Saturdays and Sundays, I get together with about 12 or 16 other guys, and we play doubles tennis.  We used to play at state tennis meets, but now we usually just play here in Midland.”

“Ask anyone who knows him, and they’ll describe Mike Seerey as someone who is passionate about everything he does—whether it’s playing tennis, learning new technology or helping students,” said Michael Dixon, MC dean of Instructional Support Services.  “Mike says he’s lucky to have found Midland College at this stage in his career, but I think Midland College is luckier to have found Mike.”