Tameka Randle, assistant director of educational access and outreach programs with Southeast Missouri State Universitys Academic Support Centers, has been named the American College Testing (ACT) Postsecondary Champion for Missouri.
It is rewarding to represent the state of Missouri and be among NationalACT College and Career Readiness Champions demonstrating persistence through adversity, a collaborative approach to problem-solving, and a passion for learning and leading others to find their own success, Randle said.
ACT College and Career Readiness Champions are high school seniors, K-12 professionals, postsecondary professionals and workforce professionals who are making a positive impact on their communities through their efforts to advance college and career readiness for all. Champions are individuals across the country who support ACTs mission of education and workplace success. ACT State Councils, comprised of education and workforce professionals from all 50 states, serve as the selection committee and select one Champion per category for each participating state.
We all know inspiring individuals who work tirelessly for the advancement of college and career readiness for all students, said Scott Montgomery, ACT senior vice president of state and federal programs. The ACT College and Career Readiness Champions initiative lifts up their stories so that more people can be inspired to find their own path to success through the motivation and determination of the seniors, K-12, postsecondary and workforce champions leading the way.
Trent Ball, assistant vice president for academic diversity and outreach at Southeast, said, Randles efforts to ensure the success of students at Southeast are commendable.
Ms. Randle has worked in the Academic Support Centers for over six years and her knowledge regarding access, success and completion for our students, her connections and network throughout the community and her creativity in developing professional opportunities for students and staff make her a champion on our campus and across the state for these critical issues.
Randle joined Southeasts Academic Support Centers in January 2013, where she cultivates collaborative partnerships with companies, organizations and agencies to provide students with experiential learning and scholarship funding opportunities. At Southeast, she is responsible for enhancing the academic achievement and educational attainment of southeast Missouri students from pre-collegiate to undergraduate and graduate studies. For her efforts, she has been honored with the Civic Engagement Award for outstanding service and engagement in the University community. Additionally, she has launched leadership and professional development initiatives on the local and state levels, and recently was named 573 Magazines Woman of the Year.
It is important to ensure that students acquire access, find resources, make connections, explore opportunities and gain experience that empower and enhance their personal and professional lives, Randle said. I am excited about creating and cultivating opportunities for students to participate in professional leadership development programs, connecting and networking with campus and community professionals, and engaging in community service-learning projects.
She is former commissioner of the Missouri Community Service Commission and past president of the Community Caring Councils Board of Directors and a member of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Leadership Missouri Alumni Association and Southeasts Endowed Scholarship Committee. She received her Bachelor of Science in teacher education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Public Administration from Southeast.
For more information about the ACT College & Career Readiness Champions, visit http://leadershipblog.act.org/2019/02/2019-act-college-career-readiness.html.