Three new deans are heading to Lansing Community College.
LCC spokeswoman Ruth Borger said Patricia Traynor, Judith Berry and William Darr have joined the faculty and students at LCC, 500 N. Washington Square in Lansing. She said their numerous experiences will bring much to the college.
“They’re experienced individuals and the diversity brings added strength to our staff,” she said. “Certainly it’s an asset to the institution.”
Traynor, dean of student and academic support, said her experience as a dean in various community colleges across the nation is beneficial to her position now.
“I’m sort of a seasoned dean in a variety of areas,” she said. “I feel like I have broad-based experiences.”
Traynor previously worked as dean for community colleges in Colorado, Oregon and Illinois.
While searching for a position in Chicago, she noticed an opening for a position at LCC while looking through The Chronicle for Higher Education.
“I thought the Chicago area was a little too big for me,” she said. “Going across the lake looked like a good community.”
Traynor said she was happy with her decision to work in the department.
It’s a large, diverse division and presents challenges of opportunity within itself,” she said. “It’s very exciting and there’s so many good people here.”
Berry and Darr are not only new deans, but deans of new departments.
Berry, dean of business and media careers, is an MSU graduate. Among her previous positions are business services and technology consultant for the Michigan Department of Education and dean of Davenport College (now Davenport University).
“I think my whole sequence of work has prepared for me for this job,” she said.
Berry said restructuring within the department will benefit from her expertise.
“(It’s) really directing the college to take a look at curriculum and keep it updated to make sure the students are getting the best education possible,” she said. “I like to be a part of planning and offering my experiences.”
Darr, dean of construction and manufacturing technology, has been at LCC since 1970. He has worked as program director, dean and director of special projects and director of facilities planning and operations.
“I’ve had a number of positions at the college,” he said. “Over the years I just took on new responsibilities and different challenges.”
New plans for the department include the construction of a technology education center for faculty members and students.
“It will be industry-based training for students and company employees,” he said. “It will be very exciting.”
