Lela Morgan, chairperson of the Allied Health Department, was recently named to serve as interim vice president for Academic Affairs, effective March 12. Morgan has been with the college for over 39 years.

President Ray Di Pasquale, in announcing the appointment, said, “Lela Morgan’s reputation has been distinguished by great integrity and fairness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence and equality. She has tremendous institutional knowledge and is a strong advocate for the faculty. She will hit the ground running and bring strong leadership and management skills to the position."

Morgan joined CCRI in 1967 as a professor in the Clinical Laboratory Technology Program, and has served in a variety of positions throughout her career. In addition to being chairperson, she is also director/clinical education coordinator for the Clinical Laboratory Technology Program. Before coming to CCRI, Lela worked in several hospital staff positions.

Her academic background includes the Graduate School of Medical Technology at St. Joseph Hospital in Michigan; a B.S. degree in Medical Technology from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa; graduate courses in Adult Education at Rhode Island College; and a M.A. degree in Health Care Education from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Morgan is active in the Rhode Island community, serving on multiple non-profit boards. She has also served as president for John Hope Settlement House, the Urban League Guild of RI and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In addition, she serves as an advocate for foundational education framework and works in the community to develop programs that improve academic and socio-cultural experiences across city and state lines. She has been cited for excellence in leadership by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and the New England Board of Higher Education.

Di Pasquale added that he is moving forward in forming a search committee for the vice president of academic affairs position with a goal of having a permanent vice president in place by the fall semester.