Administrator Biographies

McDonnell’s career in postsecondary education covers nearly 30 years of service at two comprehensive, high-performing community colleges. During his career, he has worked in a supportive professional role, a faculty role and administrative roles. Since 2014, McDonnell has served as the vice president for Academic Affairs and is also the College’s Higher Learning Commission Accreditation liaison officer. From 2008 to 2014, he was dean for Humanities and Visual Arts at MCC. McDonnell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Iowa State University in 1985, a Master of Arts in Communication from Eastern Illinois University in 1995, and his Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from North Central University in 2012.

Vazquez has held several positions at MCC, including associate vice president for Student Affairs, dean of students, dean of the MCC South Omaha Campus, student services director at the South Omaha Campus and coordinator of Nebraska Corrections Education Connection. She was the first Latina to serve on former Omaha mayor Mike Fahey’s cabinet as director of Greater Omaha Workforce Development. Vazquez holds an associate degree from MCC, a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Since 1988, Friesen has served the College in a variety of capacities, including the President’s Office, Academic Affairs, institutional planning, research, grants, events, and facilities use. Friesen holds a master's degree in Higher Education Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Development from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Schumacher serves as the College’s chief financial officer and oversees administrative service areas including Accounting, Purchasing, Budget Management, Student Financial Services, and Financial Aid. Schumacher has been with the College since 1992, starting as a staff accountant and growing into other leadership roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management from Wayne State College.

Gooch-Grayson holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, a master’s degree in Family and Mental Health Counseling at the University of the District of Columbia and a PhD in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Her scholarly interests include equity, retention and access in postsecondary education for historically disenfranchised and marginalized groups.

Beber provides oversight to all functions within human resources while working collaboratively across the College to develop effective human capital strategies for the benefit of faculty, staff and students. Prior to joining MCC, she held several human resources leadership roles with WoodmenLife in Omaha. She obtained both her bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and holds Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certifications.

Lynch oversees all College technology operations, security and strategy including computer infrastructure, application services, cybersecurity, risk and compliance, servers, audio/visual, support services and computer systems support. Prior to his role at MCC, he held several cybersecurity and technical leadership roles within the U.S. Air Force, Sitel Inc., Kiewit and Nelnet. Lynch obtained his associate degree at the Community College of the Air Force, his bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland, and his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Troy University.

Rodríguez joined MCC in 2016 and was appointed its first college marketing officer in 2021. A serial entrepreneur, advertising agency executive and former Fortune 500 brand manager, Rodríguez was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Advertising from Bradley University, a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing from Drake University and was named a 2019 National Community College Hispanic Council Fellow.

Recker provides strategic and operational leadership in the areas of fundraising and donor stewardship for the MCC Foundation and its independent volunteer Board of Directors. Recker has been with the MCC Foundation since August 2016. Her previous career experience includes advertising, business analysis and nonprofit leadership roles in Seattle, Washington, Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. Recker earned her master’s degree in Management of Information Systems from the University of Nebraska Omaha and her bachelor’s degree in Communication from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She is a graduate of the 2016 Nonprofit Executive Institute offered through the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands.

Gary Girard is the associate vice president for Community and Workforce Education. Girard was previously the executive director of Continuing Education, constantly expanding and diversifying programming offered to learners of all ages and interests. This newly created role extends his leadership to include the College’s Workforce Innovation Division where he will provide leadership and strategic direction for the design and delivery of workforce training programs, customized skills development training, professional development and community education programming.