Ramona Pierson to join FLC strategic planning process
Fort Lewis College has launched an enrollment management initiative to improve recruiting and retention of students in a highly competitive market as a part of the campus’ strategic planning process. To assist us, one of our superstar alumna will be joining us to offer her insights and support. Ramona Pierson (’94, Psychology) will become FLC’s Strategy Officer for the upcoming year. This will be a one-year appointment reporting to President Thomas.
Ramona has led an extraordinary life. She served in the Marine Corps until a near-fatal accident left her blind. She then came to FLC to earn her degree, after which she became a leader in the data analytics and artificial intelligence industries. Among her professional accomplishments is founding SynapticMash, an education software company that she later sold to Promethean World, Inc. She is currently CEO of Declara, an artificial intelligence-enabled social learning platform. Ramona will step back from her role as CEO and continue to serve as chair of the Board at Declara as she joins us at Fort Lewis College.
President Dene Thomas says the opportunity evolved during Ramona’s February visit to campus. “Ramona’s story is inspirational. Her unique perspective as an alumna, and as an internationally recognized innovator, an exceptionally strong background in education, and a passion for the future makes for an exciting addition to our conversations and direction.”
Among Ramona’s many awards and recognitions is being named one of the “21 Silicon Valley Women Who Are More Qualified to Be on Your Board Than Mark Cuban” by Entrepreneur, making the “The Silicon Valley 100: The Coolest People In Tech Right Now” Business Insider list, and a 2014 recipient of the Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year.
Below are a number of links that share Ramona’s life and accomplishments:
Ramona and Obama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV5SeL_jkLM
TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTEhgUmSrro
6 Innovative Women to Watch: https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/240845#3
21 Silicon Valley Women Who Are More Qualified to Be on Your Board Than Mark Cuban: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/290128
Come back Odyssey: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-09-26/declara-co-founder-ramona-piersons-comeback-odyssey
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/b/1eaeb6c8-5c77-4cb4-8cb6-4e49702a65c7
http://www.garrygolden.com/2014/04/23/learning-startup-declara-cognitive-graph/
http://www.businessinsider.com/ramona-pierson-the-most-inspiring-person-2013-4