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The climb of an education executive : Lakeesha Ransom

Who is Lakeesha Ransom and some of her philosophy? “One of the things I appreciate most about my time at UT was the opportunity to work with faculty and staff across the University to create momentum within the Jesup Scott Honors College,” Ransom said. “It is an exciting time at UT. Even though I won’t be here to participate, I am excited to see what the next level will be for the Jesup Scott Honors College and the University.”

Lakeesha Ransom quotes: Dean Ransom said, “This extremely generous donation will help us advance several different initiatives that are part of our new strategic plan. That plan focuses on developing a rigorous, transformative learning experience to produce citizen-leaders with a global mindset, a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and exceptional interpersonal skills across cultures. At the heart of our proposed curricula are design-thinking principles, which combine technology and the social sciences to better understand what people need and develop tailored solutions to real challenges in today’s world.”

Lakeesha Ransom publications : Ransom, L. (2012). Rural Entrepreneurship and Climate-Smart Agriculture: Engagement, Collaboration, and Innovation. Plenary presentation given at the Second Global Conference of Agriculture, Climate Change, and Food Security hosted by the World Economic Forum and United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization. Hanoi; Vietnam. Ransom, L. (2011). Traversing the Boundaries of Knowledge: Exploring the Role of Interdisciplinary Research in Innovation and New Industry Formation. Paper presented at the First International Conference on Interdisciplinary Research and Development: Bangkok, Thailand.

Since assuming the role of Secretary on the Executive Committee of the Williams Honors College Alumni Board (WHCAB) in 2016, I have participated in many wonderful opportunities to meet emerging leaders and successful alumni dedicated to building the Akron community. However, reviewing the scholarship applications provided a renewed sense of pride in my alma mater and the place where I grew up; each student was incredibly accomplished, and determined to meaningfully contribute to their campus and community.

Lakeesha Ransom (M.A. ’03, Ph.D. ’07), vice provost and dean of the honors college at the University of Akron, served as a graduate student representative for one year on the nonvoting student advisory body while earning a doctorate in human resources and strategic management. She was elected the student regent in 2001 for a six-year term. Ransom found the difference between being a regent and a student representative striking. As a regent, she observed that her views were taken more seriously, something that came into play early on during her term when she was thrust into heated deliberations over whether the University should join a University of Arizona astronomy research project on Mount Graham, a sacred site for Apache people. Read additional details on Lakeesha Ransom.