Kish Promotes Leaders from Within

Dave Dammon has been named the Associate Dean of Career Technologies. Dammon holds a B.S. in Law Enforcement Administration and M.A. in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, both from Western Illinois University. He was an Adjunct instructor at Kish from 2010-12 and a tenured Associate Professor and Coordinator of Criminal Justice at Kish from 2012-18. Dammon said of his new role, “I am humbled to have been selected to lead the division I was an instructor in for 8 years. I feel we have the most talented faculty in any community college and I am honored to work with our faculty every day to provide a quality education to our students.”

Terry Lyn Funston has been named the Director of Curriculum and Program Development. She will fully assume her new position in January 2019. In her new role, she will be conducting research and working with internal and external partners to manage the design of new program and curriculum updates for transfer and career technical education. She will also be coordinating curriculum development for contract training. Funston holds a B.S. in Education from The University of Alabama, M.S. in Psychology from Capella University, M.A. in Counseling from Marshall University, and Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Kish. Funston said of her new role, “I am excited to be part of the College's initiative to provide new programs, training, certificates, and degrees to meet the needs of our current and future students and district residents.”

Barbara Leach has been named Associate Dean for Accreditation, Assessments and Grants. In this role, Leach will be preparing the College for the Higher Learning Commission and Illinois Community College Board accreditations. Additionally, she will be assisting with assessment projects and tracking grant opportunities for the College. Leach holds a B.A. in English/Secondary Education and M.S. in Instructional Technology, both from Northern Illinois University, and a M.S.Ed. in School Counseling from Liberty University. She previously served four years as a Testing Assistant in Testing Services at Kish. Leach said of her new role, “I'm looking forward to serving the Kish community. I am excited to work with people in all areas of the College.”

Kyra Rider has been named the Associate Dean of Math/Science/Business. In her new role, she will work with faculty and administration to ensure systems are in place to improve the student experience at Kish and ensure course offerings reflect student needs. Rider holds a B.S. in Mathematics, M.S.Ed. in Instructional Technology, and M.S. in Mathematics Education, all from Northern Illinois University. She has served as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Kish since 2011. Rider said of her new role, “I look forward to supporting Kishwaukee College students, faculty, and staff in a new capacity.  I am thrilled to continue working with such wonderful people.”

Kishwaukee College is proud to encourage professional development from within. For more information on Kishwaukee College, visit: www.kish.edu