Get to know Lakeesha Ransom and some of her thoughts

The rise of an academic figure : Lakeesha Ransom? “Lakeesha’s diverse professional background enabled her to enhance the reputation of our Jesup Scott Honors College, and we thank her and wish her the best in her new position,” Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs John Barrett said. “Kelly Moore truly embraces our culture as a student-centered university and will continue the ongoing efforts to elevate the college as we attract and serve more well-prepared students.”

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. & Kudjo, F. (2003). Globalization: Implications on leadership development. Paper presented at the World Youth Reunion: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ransom, L.; Tichy, M.; & McCalister, A. (2006). The Multicultural Leadership Mentoring Program: Embracing Diversity in the 21st Century. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Yale Bouchet Conference: New Haven, Connecticut.

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. Find even more information on Lakeesha Ransom.