Colleagues,
We recently completed a robust search process for our next Vice Chancellor of Student Services, and I want to begin by thanking everyone who helped make it meaningful and thorough. Thank you to those who participated in the forums and provided feedback, to the search committee for their time and thoughtful work, and to Ann and Erin for the leadership and coordination they brought to this process.
From the feedback I received, the conversations I've had over the past several weeks, and my own time with the candidates, it became clear that Dr. Michael Beane is the right person to help lead this next chapter of our student services work.
I’m pleased to announce that Mike Beane will serve as our next Vice Chancellor of Student Services.
Mike has been a valued part of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges for the past six years as Dean of Students at SCC, and throughout that time he has demonstrated a steady commitment to our students, our mission, and the people who make this place work every day. I have every confidence he will continue to serve EICC well in this new role.
Mike will be officially appointed following the April Board meeting. He will maintain his office at Scott Community College to assist in finishing out the semester and will begin transitioning fully into this role over the next few months to ensure continuity and a smooth handoff.
I also want to recognize Dr. Naomi DeWinter for her service in this role over the past six years while also serving as the MCC president. We appreciate her willingness to take on these responsibilities and her continued leadership at MCC.
Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to listen and learn from many of you about where we are, and where we need to go, when it comes to serving our students. Based on those conversations, one of the first priorities I’ve asked Mike to lead is the design of a student services division that meets students where they are and helps them get where they want to go.
That work includes, but is not limited to:
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Continuing the alignment of advising by programs, grounded in a guided pathways model
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Designing a clear, well-defined organizational structure based on how and where students are accessing EICC
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Refining our new student onboarding process to remove barriers and shift more responsibility onto us to connect with students, rather than waiting for them to take the next step
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Embedding career conversations at the front end of the student experience through intentional, structured practices
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Strengthening proactive student engagement through earlier, more consistent, and more meaningful conversations with students
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Continuing implementation of our new CRM- Element 451, to better target, engage, and communicate with students
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Strengthening wraparound supports, such as food access, mental health resources, and other services, to ensure students have what they need to succeed
At the end of the day, a strong team with clear structure and the right support can deliver exceptional service to our students. And that’s what this is about, doing better for the people we serve.
Mike won’t be doing this work alone. This will take all of us, working together, sharing ideas, and staying focused on what matters most, student success.
I’m grateful for Mike’s leadership and for the work each of you does every day. We’ve got a lot of good momentum, and this is another step forward.
Please join me in congratulating Mike on this well-earned opportunity and in supporting him as he steps into this important role.
Let’s keep listening, keep building, and keep moving.
Forward with purpose,
Bryan Renfro, PhD
Chancellor
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
101 West Third Street, Davenport
563-336-3301