Southeast Tech Hires New Dean

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Southeast Technical College announced today that Dr. Kayla Westra has been hired as Dean of Curriculum and Instruction. She will oversee Southeast Tech’s Business department, Engineering Technology department, Human Services department, Media Communications department, Information Technology department and Mechatronics department.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Dr. Westra join our administration team,” said Dr. Benjamin Valdez, Vice President of Academics. “She comes to us with a great deal of experience in higher education at the technical college level, and we can’t wait to leverage her knowledge assets to benefit Southeast Tech.”

Dr. Westra previously served as the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Liberal Arts at Minnesota West Community & Technical College, and was responsible for liberal arts, K-12 partnerships, accreditation, academic support services, and information technology for the college. 

She was also the dean for the law enforcement and child development programs and has been involved in bringing an elementary education teacher pathway to the college. She also served as an English instructor at the college. 

She has served on the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partners (NACEP) Board of Directors as a board member and interim president. She holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato, a master’s in English: Technical Communication from Utah State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Minnesota State University-Mankato.  She also earned a graduate certificate in History.

She begins at Southeast Tech on Sept. 8.