Austin Community College District (ACC) announces Carolynn Campbell Reed as the new dean for the Science, Engineering & Mathematics Division. The role was previously held by Dr. David Fonken, who will be retiring at the end of May.
Reed has been a full-time faculty member at ACC for 17 years, the mathematics department chair for almost a decade, and served as assistant department chair and developmental math advisor.
Before joining ACC full-time, she was adjunct faculty at ACC, Concordia University Texas, and St. Edward’s University while working in the architecture, high-tech, and education industries.
She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics and is currently pursuing a doctorate in STEM Education. Her research examines the impact of developmental mathematics policies and reform on student experiences and outcomes. Reed has played a pivotal role in promoting mathematics literacy and has led several initiatives aimed at creating welcoming and inclusive learning environments to foster student success. She is known for using data to guide transformative change.
“We are excited to have Carolynn in this role, and I look forward to the good work of SEM continuing to grow and thrive with Carolynn’s guidance and leadership,” says Dr. Elizabeth Mosser Knight, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Programs.
The position was posted in fall 2024 with a strong pool of more than 60 applicants, and the hiring process included three rounds of interviews—an initial Zoom interview, an in-person interview with a presentation, and a final interview with the vice chancellor of Instruction.
Reed officially started in the role on Monday, May 12, overlapping for a few weeks with Fonken to allow for knowledge transfer.