Simpson named among
“Wisconsin’s Most Influential”
Dr. Colleen Simpson,
vice president for Student
Services, was named one of
Wisconsin’s Most Influential
Black Leaders by Madison
365 (a Madison-based online
magazine that focuses on
communities of color).
The honor recognizes
Simpson’s longtime passion
to find ways to help students
enter college, persist and
achieve their goals.
“My vision is to eliminate the barriers that affect
student success,” she said. “I want to always look at
the whole package when students apply to college.
We have to make sure that the student actually makes
it from enrollment to graduation, eliminating barriers
and evaluating our customer service approach.”
Part of her mission involves outreach. Simpson has
presented at local and national conferences focusing
on student success, retention, enrollment management
and academic advisement.
She earned her doctorate in educational leadership,
administration and policy from Fordham University.
Simpson earned a master’s in higher education
administration and a bachelor’s of business administration
in international marketing from Baruch College.
Simpson came to NWTC in 2017 from City University of
New York, where she had worked for more than 20 years.
Crowe joins NWTC as VP of Advancement
Dr. Aliesha R. Crowe, newly-named vice president for
College Advancement, said she joined the college because
NWTC has a national reputation for a strong focus on
helping students succeed.
“It has been evident from my very first interview that this
campus community has developed an intentional culture
based on values that support the community college
mission,” she said. “I am elated to be a part of this culture!”
In her new role, Crowe will lead external relations and will
oversee student recruitment, institutional research, college
communications, scholarships and resource development.
“I’ve spent the majority of my professional career in an
advancement role in higher education, and I consider
myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work with
both internal and external stakeholders of the college,”
she said. “I look forward to working with the friends of
NWTC throughout our district, state, and even at a national
level. And I am looking forward to connecting all aspects
of college external relations to student success.”
Public engagement has been an essential aspect of
her 19-year career in education. Crowe comes from
Chippewa Valley Technical College, where she served
as executive director of institutional advancement,
charged with developing
external partnerships and
increasing philanthropic
support for student success
initiatives, staff professional
development and campus
infrastructure development.
Before that, Crowe was
Chippewa Valley’s dean
of industry, energy and
agriculture, responsible for
creating the school’s Energy Education Center.
She served earlier as a University of Wisconsin-Extension
Agriculture agent specializing in farm and ranch financial
management and entrepreneurial agriculture. She began
her career as a K-12 career and technical education
instructor in agriculture.
Crowe holds a doctorate of education in organizational
leadership, policy and development from University of
Minnesota, a master’s degree in agriculture education
from University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a bachelor’s
degree in animal science from UW-River Falls. She is
a 2019-20 Aspen Presidential Fellow for Community
College Excellence.
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