Quentin “Q” Groce Seeks Mott Community College Trustee Seat, Emphasizing Transparency and Community Connections
THE CHRONICLE NEWS| Candidate Profile Election 2026
FLINT, Mich. — Quentin “Q” Groce is seeking a seat on the Mott Community College Board of Trustees in the November 3 general election, bringing a background in business strategy, public service and community leadership to his first campaign for elected office. A resident of Flint’s College Cultural Neighborhood, Groce lives within walking distance of the college he hopes to help govern. His campaign centers on transparent decision-making, responsible financial oversight and stronger relationships between the institution and the communities it serves. Groce is among eight candidates competing for two six-year seats on the college’s governing board.
Born and raised in Kentwood, Michigan, Groce earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Grand Valley State University in 2009. Graduating during the Great Recession presented an uncertain employment landscape as businesses across the country faced significant economic challenges. Rather than following a single professional path, Groce developed experience across retail operations, automotive sales, digital advertising and public service. He describes those experiences as helping shape his understanding of leadership, adaptability and the importance of creating opportunities for others.
Groce began his career at Apple Woodland, where he initially worked as a concierge managing customer appointments and store traffic before transitioning into a specialist position. He later assumed leadership responsibilities with the store’s visual merchandising team during two major product launches. Following his experience at Apple and in automotive sales, he joined MLive, developing digital strategies and advertising campaigns for local businesses and organizations. Among those projects was work involving a previous Mott Community College millage renewal, giving him professional experience connected to the institution before entering the race for trustee.
Today, Groce serves as Regional Director for U.S. Senator Gary Peters, overseeing community and stakeholder engagement across ten mid-Michigan counties. His responsibilities involve maintaining relationships with local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and community leaders. Through that work, he engages with higher education institutions ranging from major universities to community colleges. Groce points to his professional experience as preparation for navigating complex issues, understanding community concerns and bringing different stakeholders into conversations about shared priorities.
Beyond his professional career, Groce has spent approximately two decades participating in community organizations and nonprofit leadership. His service includes four years as chairman of Flint & Genesee Young Professionals and six years as a Flint Chamber Ambassador. He is also a founding board member of the Equality Caucus of Genesee County and has participated in professional networking organizations, including Business Network International. Groce additionally presents an annual program on servant leadership to college students, emphasizing civic responsibility and the role individuals can play in strengthening their communities.
Groce says his decision to pursue a seat on the Mott Community College Board of Trustees grew from his interest in the college’s future and his observations of its governance. As a homeowner near the campus, he views the institution as both an educational resource and an important part of the surrounding community. His campaign calls for more open communication between trustees, students, faculty, staff and residents, along with greater attention to the board’s responsibility for financial stewardship. He believes effective governance requires listening to those affected by institutional decisions while ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly.
Financial accountability is another central component of Groce’s campaign. He says trustees should carefully examine institutional spending, ask questions about major decisions and provide the public with clear information about how resources are allocated. His approach also emphasizes maintaining community trust through accessible meetings and transparent decision-making. These priorities represent the candidate’s stated goals and proposals rather than accomplishments already achieved in the trustee position.
The election comes as Mott Community College continues serving students pursuing associate degrees, career credentials, workforce training and pathways to four-year institutions. Community college trustees help establish institutional policies, oversee financial matters and provide governance for the college’s long-term direction. Voters will select two trustees from a field of eight candidates in the November 3 election. A separate operating millage renewal proposal will also appear on the ballot, placing questions about the college’s financial future before voters.
For Groce, the campaign reflects a desire to connect his professional and civic experiences with the responsibilities of educational governance. He has framed his candidacy around three commitments: governing openly, accounting responsibly for public dollars and rebuilding relationships between Mott Community College and the people it serves. His background includes work in private business, digital communications, nonprofit leadership and government constituent engagement. Voters will determine whether that combination of experience and his proposed approach to governance earns him a seat on the board.
Election Information: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Office: Mott Community College Board of Trustees
Term: Six years
Seats available: Two
Candidate: Quentin “Q” Groce
Candidate information: Quentin Groce’s campaign Facebook page
Editor’s Note: This profile is part of The Chronicle News’ ongoing election coverage, providing readers with information about candidates, their backgrounds and their stated priorities. Candidate-supplied biographical information is attributed accordingly. Publication does not constitute an endorsement.
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