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New director named to head Southwest campus

March 27, 2009

KALAMAZOO--An experienced academic and admissions counselor with a strong track record of working with community colleges has been named director of Western Michigan University's Extended University Programs campus in Benton Harbor.

Jeorge E. Fierro, director of academic advising for the University's College of Aviation, was tapped to head the WMU-Southwest Campus, effective Feb. 23. He replaces Dr. Leonard Seawood, who is now dean of academic outreach at the University of Central Arkansas.

"Jeorge is an excellent choice to lead WMU-Southwest," says Dr. Craig Kaml, interim associate provost for EUP. "He understands the needs and concerns of prospective students as well as the special educational challenges that many communities in our state face. His leadership and commitment to civic involvement will serve southwest Michigan residents well."

Fierro came to WMU in 1990 as an admissions counselor and was promoted to director of academic advising for the aviation college nine years later. Since 2006, he also has been a part-time instructor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

During his WMU career, Fierro has spent much of his time working with high schools and community colleges as well as prospective students and their parents. He is well versed in the University's admissions, academic and transfer policies and procedures, and has helped develop and implement curriculum transfer partnerships with several community colleges.

Prior to joining WMU's staff, Fierro served for a year an assistant director of admissions at Hope College and for four years as a sheriff's deputy in Allegan County Michigan, where he spent much of his time developing and implementing educational adolescent crime prevention programs for schools, communities and families.

Fierro earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Michigan State and Grand Valley State universities in 1977 and a master's degree in family and consumer sciences from WMU in 2005. He is in the process of obtaining a doctoral degree in educational leadership from WMU.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
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Western Michigan University
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