LCCC names Health Sciences dean as interim vice president of Academic Affairs

Laramie County Community College named Terry Harper as interim vice president of Academic Affairs.

Harper will replace Dr. Jose Fierro, current vice president of Academic Affairs, when he leaves at the end of June to take a job as president/superintendent of Cerritos College in Norwalk, California.

Harper will serve as interim vice president for one year while LCCC looks for a permanent replacement for Fierro. LCCC President Joe Schaffer said he will start a national search for the permanent vice president of Academic Affairs this fall.

The college also named Cindy Henning as interim dean of LCCC’s School of Health Sciences and Wellness to replace Harper.

“LCCC is developing strong internal leadership, and when the vice president of Academic Affairs position opened up, looking inside the campus for an interim appointment made perfect sense,” Schaffer said. “Terry is the ideal candidate to fill this role. She has been a leader in numerous cross-campus initiatives such as the redesign of our academic programs to ensure they retain quality while making them designed for student completion, and our efforts in transfer and articulation with four-year institutions.”

Schaffer also said that Harper’s involvement and knowledge of LCCC’s strategic goals will ensure continuity and continuation of the college’s efforts as it moves toward organizational excellence.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to be chosen for this important position,” Harper said. “I thank the Board of Trustees and Dr. Schaffer for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with all the faculty and staff at LCCC.”

Harper has worked for LCCC for the past few years as dean of the School of Health Sciences and Wellness. She came to LCCC from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, having served as a faculty member and program coordinator for the Health Care Systems Administration.

She also has worked as a nurse for many years and earned a national recognition as a certified registered rehabilitation nurse.

Harper has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and a master of science in career and technical education from Ferris State University.