NEWS

WCC Board of Trustees approves Eric Reed as new Dean of Student Access

by DEBRA DESTEFANI
Staff Writer

The board of trustees announced that Eric Reed will be the new Dean of Student Access, Success, Equity, and Inclusion at WCC during their first board meeting of the year on Jan 26.

Eric Reed and Kimberly Hurns during Jan. 26 trustees meeting.

“I’m glad to be here and I’m excited to start to impact the college,” Reed said.

Reed, a resident of Detroit, holds a degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, where he previously worked for 8 years as a director of TRiO Student Support Services. During his career at EMU, he helped to provide mentoring, tutoring and scholarships to first-generation and low-income students.

The Dean of Student Access, Success, Equity and Inclusion is responsible for overseeing student retention and success at WCC. Reed brings his skills working with students of diverse backgrounds to the table in his new position, where he will work to help students maintain a plan of success at WCC.

“I’m very passionate about helping change the economic situation of every student but particularly with minority and low-income background students, which has been a good deal of my experience,” Reed said.

“We support cultural differences and acknowledge commonalities to give access to students, and we’re about completing those goals: graduating or completing a certificate and moving to the next step.”

Another one of Reed’s goals is to create a diversity, equity and inclusion plan that will combine several resources, such as the student success and scholar receptions, with community-forward projects like cultural heritage month and special guest speakers.

Reed, who is replacing former Dean James Clayton Jr., will receive a salary of $97,844 annually.

In addition to comments from President Bellanca, Kim Hurns, Executive Vice President of Instruction and Academic Affairs also welcomed Reed at the meeting.

“We have not made any substantial changes to this position from Dean Jennings,” Hurns said.

“It’s extremely important for us to promote success and completion with our students. We’re really excited to have him and ready to get to work.”

Reed will mainly be conducting his job from home until students and staff are safely able to return to campus.