Terra State names Ann Sergent Dean of new division
Ann Sergent, originally from Woodville, has accepted the Dean of Liberal Arts and Business position at Terra State Community College. Since October 2016, Sergent has moved from Interim Assistant Dean of Business Humanities and Industrial Technologies (BHIT) to Assistant Dean to Interim Dean.
President Dr. Ronald Schumacher believes Sergent is a great fit. “I appreciate all the work Ann did as the Interim Dean while we were investigating the opportunity to go to three divisions,” he said. “I’m excited to see the energy she’ll bring to this position and to see the continued success of the division under her leadership.”
Sergent has been employed at Terra State for eight years. Before her Interim Assistant Dean position, she started at Terra State as an adjunct faculty member and also worked as an advisor.
She is excited to lead this new division. “I work with a great group of people and I love our students. That’s why we’re here,” she said.
Sergent is happy to have had learning experiences as Interim Assistant Dean that will help her in the future. “I learned a ton working with the engineering and skilled trades guys,” she said. “I’ve learned how to manage people from different backgrounds better, how to handle conflict resolution and I learned more about the Higher Department of Education and HLC.”
Director of Human Resources Jeremy McLaney believes Sergent’s experience will give her a leg up. “As the Interim Dean, Ann had direct oversight for well over half of the campus programs including business, general education and the entire manufacturing programs,” he said. “These programs tend to have the highest number of adjuncts as well as regular full time faculty; yet she successfully navigated the challenges related to the position.”
Moving forward, Sergent wants to help strengthen the programs the College already has. “We’re lucky to have Mike Czeczele on board to lead our music program and I’d like to build our Agribusiness program. Agriculture is huge here.” She also specifically wants to help get the business program accredited.
Before working at Terra State, Sergent started working in business as a retail store manager before going back to college. After that, she started teaching.
Sergent received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Sciences and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Bowling Green State University (BGSU).
Outside of work, Sergent’s favorite thing to do is go camping. She also enjoys listening to live music, reading and, on occasion, volunteering. She is a part of Eastern Star and has volunteered at Red and Purple Delight.
In an effort to give every program the attention it deserves, Terra State reorganized programs into three divisions Monday, July 1: Allied Health, Nursing and Science; Liberal Arts and Business; and Technology and Skilled Trades.