North Central Michigan College has named Cassandra Hernandez as its new dean of workforce and continuing education.
Hernandez began her tenure in mid-July, following the retirement of longtime dean Christy Lyons, according to a college announcement.
Hernandez brings more than a decade of experience in workforce development, public policy and community leadership. She will lead efforts to strengthen workforce and continuing education programs that align with employer needs and regional economic development strategies.
“Cassandra brings a deep understanding of workforce development and a collaborative spirit that aligns well with our mission,” Stephen Strom, vice president for academic and student affairs, said in the announcement. “Her ability to build strong partnerships will enhance our efforts to prepare learners for the evolving needs of our regional economy.”
Hernandez has a background in public service
Cassandra Hernandez
Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy and management from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has taught courses in state and local government as a volunteer adjunct instructor at El Paso Community College.
Her professional background includes leadership roles with Workforce Solutions Borderplex and the El Paso Chamber, where she led initiatives in workforce development and industry alignment. She also served in several administrative capacities with the city of El Paso, gaining insight into the needs of underserved communities.
In 2017, Hernandez was elected to the El Paso City Council, where she served two terms representing District 3. During her time in office, she championed policies to support seniors and individuals with disabilities, advocated for infrastructure improvements in historically underfunded areas and served on boards including the El Paso Employees Retirement Trust and the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Now, with her move to Northern Michigan bringing her closer to family, Hernandez is eager to leverage her public service and leadership experience to strengthen connections between North Central, local employers and the community.
“I’m excited to bring my life and career experiences to North Central, where I can help empower students, support local employers and contribute to the growth of our regional economy,” Hernandez said in the announcement. “If you’re considering rethinking your career or have immediate or planned workforce needs, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can explore how North Central can support your goals.”
For more information about North Central Michigan College’s workforce and continuing education programs, visit ncmich.edu.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Cassandra Hernandez joins North Central Michigan College as workforce education dean