By: d-mars.com
News Provider
De ‘Reese Reid-Hart has been appointed as the president of Lone Star College-Montgomery. He assumed the role on September 1st, following the announcement on July 28th. With 25 years of experience in higher education administration, Reid-Hart has been a part of Lone Star College since August 2016. Prior to becoming president, he served as the vice president of instruction for the campus in August 2020. Reid-Hart joins a cohort of new leaders within the Lone Star College system. Mario Castillo, the newest chancellor, was officially appointed on August 11th. Stephen Head, the former chancellor who led the institution for nine years, retired on August 1st. Before his retirement, Head expressed his confidence in the future of the campus under Reid-Hart’s leadership.
Prior to his retirement, Head gave his green flag to Reid-Hart. “Dr. Reid-Hart has demonstrated integrity and the highest ethical standards over her career,” Head said in a July 28 release. “Her experience in providing educational and support services will have a positive and profound impact on our students. I know Dr. Reid-Hart will provide the leadership and oversight to continue meeting the needs of all students, community leaders, taxpayers and our partner school districts.”
Reid-Hart’s foray into the realm of higher education began during her own academic pursuits. Although her entry into the industry was serendipitous, she expressed an immediate affinity for it. Subsequently, Reid-Hart assumed various leadership roles at Kennedy-King College in Illinois, including Dean of Instruction and Continuing Education, Chief Student Affairs Officer as Dean of Student Services, and Associate Dean of Students, prior to relocating to Houston with her spouse.
“It was the best decision I made,” Reid-Hart said. “My favorite day of the year is commencement day when our students are walking across the stage and they’re just so excited about the future. I get emotional when I think about it. Just knowing that we are impacting our students, changing lives and giving opportunities that otherwise may not be there, that’s what I love about it.”
As the President, Reid-Hart has identified three key priorities, namely, fostering a culture of excellence, forging strong partnerships with the community, and placing a greater emphasis on student outcomes and success. Reid-Hart views challenges as opportunities, including the need to re-prioritize funding towards student success.
According to Reid-Hart, the success of students is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the college’s success. While acknowledging that the college has always prioritized student success, Reid-Hart believes that there is room for improvement by examining the college’s operations and the impact of its services on students.
