Article By Hannah Keller Flanery / UACCB Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Some things are simply meant to be. After 33 years in education, it is clear that Roger Ried is meant to be an educator. The bulk of Ried’s career has been in K-12 education with 29 years spent as a high school principal. Now, Ried has joined the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) as the director of the secondary career center.
“All the pieces just fell into place,” Ried said. “The timing has been very good.”
Ried grew up in a small farming community in Illinois and moved to Arkansas in the early 1980s. He attended Arkansas College, now Lyon College, and it was there he met his wife, Kathy. The couple has two children, Maggie and Luc.
While in college, Ried also met UACCB’s Chancellor Deborah Frazier.
“Debbie and I graduated from Arkansas College together. Through that connection with her, I knew coming to UACCB would be right in line with my standards and ideology. I attend church with Zach Harber, the director of career and technical education, so again I knew that having him as my immediate supervisor would align well with my morals. At Southside, it’s all about the students, and it is the same here at UACCB. It’s all about student success. I just knew this would be a very good fit for me,” Ried said.
As director of the secondary career center, Ried will be working with high school students interested in programs offered through the center including welding, certified nursing assistant, EMT, and beginning construction courses. Ried said it was his hope to provide support to students and their families.
“There’s already a very good program in place here. I hope to be a piece of the puzzle to work with each student to help them ensure they meet their goals. It’s about building relationships. That’s important with anyone but it’s particularly important with kids,” Ried said. “So, if a student is struggling, I hope to be the one to work with them and their parents and let them know that even if we have to back up and punt, they can still achieve their goals.”
Ried said he also hopes to provide support to the faculty on campus.
“Teachers are always having something added to their plate, and very little is ever taken away. I hope I can be a good support to them as well.”
