Dean for Academic Success: Workforce Finalists
Open Forums to be held on Tuesday, June 16
Northeast Lakeview College has selected two finalists for the position of Dean for Academic Success. This position will focus on workforce program strategy and development, and this role is critical to our continued growth and our ability to meet workforce and educational demands in the communities we serve.
Each finalist will participate in various department meetings, an open forum and receive a college tour. Forums will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 11:15AM (Dawson) and 1:15PM (Lira) in the Nighthawk Legacy Center (NVET, RM 114).
The two finalists and more information are listed below:
Rahsaan Dawson, Ph.D.
Rahsaan Dawson is an accomplished higher education administrator and educator with a deep commitment to student success and academic excellence. He currently serves as the Department Chair of Accounting, Banking & Finance at Dallas College, bringing extensive leadership experience, including roles as Coordinator, Director, Associate Dean, and Dean of Adult and Workforce Education. Throughout his career, he has overseen multi-million dollar grants, led curriculum development initiatives, and built academic programs that expand access and opportunity for diverse student populations. Rahsaan holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration with a specialization in Adult and Higher Education from the University of South Dakota, a Master of Management (Oral Robert University), and a PhD in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University. In addition, he is a Certified Program Planner and Certified Operations Manager from LERN (the world’s largest professional association for lifelong learning).
Forum Time: 11:15AM
Dr. Leonard Lira
Dr. Leonard (Len) L. Lira currently serves as Chair of the Department of Public Policy and Service at San Antonio College, where he leads workforce and transfer-oriented programs. During his tenure, the department has experienced significant growth in enrollment, credentials awarded, student success outcomes, and workforce partnerships.
Prior to joining San Antonio College, Dr. Lira held leadership positions at San José State University and Army University focused on workforce education, organizational development, and program innovation. He also served 28 years in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Colonel and leading complex organizations in the United States, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Lira is passionate about the role community colleges play in creating opportunity and economic mobility. Raised in a working-class family where his father had no formal education and his mother completed only an eighth-grade education, he understands firsthand how education can transform lives and create pathways to meaningful careers.
He holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, two master’s degrees from Syracuse University, and is committed to strengthening workforce pathways, expanding industry partnerships, and helping students connect education to meaningful careers.
Forum Time: 1:15PM