Get to know Lakeesha Ransom and some of her writings

Lakeesha Ransom or the rise of an education manager? “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: Lakeesha Ransom, dean of the Williams Honors College – who spearheaded the process to make UA a Hult-affiliated institution – accompanied the group on the trip. In order to be selected for the Hult Competition team, UA students competed in a contest hosted by the Williams Honors College. A panel of judges made up by local business people and UA faculty selected 16 students out of 50 competitors to form teams of four that would develop business proposals. Then, after a presentation of its solution and an interview with Ransom, a team was chosen to represent UA in Dubai.

Lakeesha Ransom publications : Ransom, L. (2011). The ASEAN Trade Agreements: Implications for East, West and the Rest. Caucus presented at the 2011 Academy of Management Conference: San Antonio, Texas. Ransom, L. (2010). Creative Education for Sustainable Achievement: New Ways to Learn. Paper presented at the Mega-Trends in Human Capital and Labour Productivity: Towards Global Integration Conference: 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.

“As a dean, I think those experiences helped me understand the value of different constituent voices,” Ransom says. “Having the ability to think openly and broadly about grand challenges and opportunities, collect information and data from disparate areas on campus, and aggregate it to a more strategic level—much of that I attribute to my time on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.” Despite sit-ins and other protests, the board, including Ransom, ultimately voted yes. “It was a very difficult decision for everyone involved,” she says. “Everyone was perplexed in how to manage it. It helped me see myself as just another member of the board.” Ransom’s experience as a regent, where she helped govern a complex institution with varied stakeholders, perspectives, and missions, got her interested in higher education. Find extra information on Lakeesha Ransom.