At a special meeting held this evening, the Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Wendel McCollum as MCAS Associate Superintendent. He will replace departing Associate Superintendent Xavier Botana, who will leave MCAS at the end of the month to become Superintendent of the Portland (Maine) Public Schools.
McCollum has served as the Principal of Michigan City High School since 2013. Under his leadership, the high school has seen a significant increase in ECA scores and graduation rates. At MCHS, he helped establish the Early College, Honors College, and Freshman Academy programs, expanding AP and dual credit opportunities for students and bolstering college and career readiness.
Prior to MCHS, McCollum was Associate Principal and Principal of East Chicago Central High School, where he also led successful turnaround efforts.
A Michigan City native, McCollum is a 1992 graduate of Michigan City’s Rogers High School. He served MCAS as an Assistant Principal from 2006-2010, at Elston and Krueger Middle Schools. Prior to becoming an administrator, he was a Social Studies Teacher for six years in the Gary Community Schools.
McCollum earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Secondary Education and an Administrative Certification from Indiana University Northwest. He also holds a Superintendents’ License, which he earned through the Educational Specialist program at Indiana Wesleyan University.
“Wendel has strong leadership skills and a vision for our school district as a place where students can and will achieve at high levels,” said MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins. “He is committed to collaboration with staff and to engaging with parents, students, and the community, and we’re extremely pleased to welcome him to his new role.”
During the June 14 meeting, Michigan City High School Associate Principal Bonnie Manuel was appointed to serve as Interim Principal for MCHS.