Tia Robinson Hired as VP of Instruction

East Central College has named Dr. Tia Robinson as the new vice president of instruction.  She replaces Jean McCann who is retiring after 24 years at the college.

The appointment to the position was approved by college trustees at their May 9 board meeting.  Robinson will begin working at ECC July 1.

Robinson said that she is excited to become a part of ECC’s commitment to student success and inspiring excellence.  “It is evident that ECC has the pulse of the community and students; and has taken the necessary steps to deliver academic programs and build partnerships that prepare students to earn degrees of value, enter the workforce or transfer to a four year institution,” she stated.  “Service to students, faculty, staff and the community is foundational to my success as an academic administrator, leader, and educator.”

Robinson noted that East Central  was the institution that embodied her commitment to excellence, service, and student success.  “I am looking forward to working with Dr. Bauer, the faculty and staff to continue to advance the mission and vision of ECC.”

Robinson has eight years of dean level experience focused on assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty development, and program development.  Most recently she served as Dean of Teaching and Learning Services at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois.  Prior to working at Rock Valley, Robinson was Associate Dean of Instruction and then promoted to Dean of Instruction at City Colleges of Chicago, Olive-Harvey College.  She also was the Dean of Academic Affairs at Northwestern College and Dean of Instruction at American InterContinental University.

Her experience in student affairs includes positions as residence hall director, counselor coordinator, minority recruiter, and academic success coach at Northern Illinois University.  Robinson also served as employment resource center/special populations coordinator at Kishwaukee College and prior to that worked with students with disabilities at Waubonsee Community College

She has 10 years of teaching experience which includes instruction in online, hybrid, face-to-face and cohort models at both the community college and university level.

College President Jon Bauer stated he is eager for the opportunity to work with Dr. Robinson.  “She is passionate about students, an experienced administrator, and brings to East Central a thorough understanding of the community college mission,” Bauer said.

An Illinois native, Robinson started her post-secondary education at a community college.  After earning her associate degree from Kishwaukee College, she transferred to Northern Illinois University to obtain her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology. She later enrolled at National Louis University where she earned an M.S. degree in managerial leadership and an M.B.A.  Last year she received her Ed.D. in counseling/adult higher education from Northern Illinois University.

Her professional experience includes eight years as a member of the DeKalb Community Unit School District School Board and director of training/community relations for the Salvation Army Correctional Center.

Robinson is a member of the American Higher Education Alliance, the Association for Continuing Higher Education, and the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. She received the Diversifying Faculty Initiative Fellowship from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Robinson has three adult children and a four year old grandson.