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Lee gets the call

New dean to lead School of Ed

Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Updated: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 11:02

dean_wynetta_lee

Brittney Jenkins/Echo staff photographer

School of Education Dean Wynetta Lee continues to teach.

Last semester N.C. Central University began a furious search for someone to lead the School of Education into its future.

From the crowded field of qualified candidates rose Wynetta Y. Lee, former dean of education at Grambling State University in Louisiana.

Lee, a native of Etowah county Alabama, was selected to take over for retiring former dean Ceceilia Steppe-Jones who held the position for the last 10 years and has been at NCCU for 31 years.

The former Grambling dean beat candidates Brian K. Perkins, director of the urban education leadership program at Teachers College of Columbia University, and associate dean of education at the University Alabama Tuscaloosa Brenda Joyce Stalworth.

"I think I am predestined to be here," said Lee. "If heaven brings this on your radar three times maybe you need to pay attention, so I think I was predestined to be at Central at this place and at this time."

It is also an added bonus that Lee, who lived in the area 10 years ago and worked at N.C. State University, can work with many of her former students who now work at NCCU.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard she was going to be here," said NCCU math instructor and lecturer Richard Townsend, an advisee and student of Lee's while at N.C. State University.

"She is a great person, great motivator and great teacher," said Townsend.

While at N.C. State University, Lee also taught graduate courses to Tia Doxey, NCCU director of student life assessment.

"Dr Lee is a visionary leader and she possesses a collaborative spirit," said Doxey. "She has always been committed to the success of students, faculty and staff."

According to Lee teaching is in her blood — her parents were college educated and both were teachers. "Teaching is a calling and I think people who go into teaching for the money can be a little bit scary," she said.

Lee brings a wealth of knowledge and tons of experience to NCCU. She has worked at Grambling State University, Jackson State University,Dillard University, N.C. State University and the California University system.

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