Bold claim: a public college president is accused of mixing religion with official duties, prompting a formal review and a heated national conversation about church-state boundaries on campus. And this is the part most people miss: the issue isn’t just one incident, but a pattern that sparks questions about how public institutions balance religious expression with their mission to serve diverse students.
A nonprofit watchdog, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has filed a complaint against Shaunda Richardson-Snell, the president of Mott Community College (MCC), alleging that she made proselytizing remarks in her official role. Specifically, the group reports that at a college event she asked a guest whether he had “accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.” The organization asserts that such conduct violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and cites prior federal cases that limit religious expression by public employees when they are acting in their official capacities.
MCC’s Board of Trustees has scheduled a special meeting to respond to the complaint. The session is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, in the RTC Auditorium, Room 1005, on MCC’s main campus at 1401 E. Court St. During this meeting, trustees will review the personnel complaint, discuss its implications, and prepare an official response for distribution.
The formal complaint letter arrived at MCC on December 12. Americans United argues that the college has a constitutional obligation to prevent proselytizing by employees while they are performing college duties, to protect the rights of students and staff who come from different faith backgrounds or hold no faith at all.
Richardson-Snell’s rise to MCC leadership has been a controversial arc. She joined MCC as interim president in September 2024 after a selection process that faced criticism, with opponents including the MCC Education Association questioning whether she possessed sufficient formal educational credentials. Her interim role was later made permanent when trustees appointed her as the eighth president of MCC in May 2025, following a decision to forgo a full search process.
Responses from MCC leadership to requests for comment have not been provided as of Monday, February 16. Trustee John Daly initially called for the special meeting, stating that the complaint and its allegations deserve serious consideration and an investigation, though he did not indicate whether the claims are true. Trustee Santino Guerra emphasized that concerns from residents or community organizations warrant careful scrutiny, particularly when they may impact the college’s integrity and public trust. He added that trustees must act with transparency and accountability, while noting that his comments reflect his own views, not those of the entire board.
Dylan Goetz contributes reporting on safety, crime, and education in the Flint area for MLive. He is a Michigan native and graduate of Central Michigan University.
