Dr. Laura Willman named Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness at Henry Ford College
Dr. Willman joined Henry Ford College in 2023 as a Research Analyst in the school’s Institutional Research and Business Intelligence department. She also will be serving as the chair of SAFE@HFC.
Henry Ford College has recently announced Dr. Laura Willman will fill the position of Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness at the school.
In an article posted on the school’s website, Dr. Willman, who started at Henry Ford College back in 2023, was quoted about her new position, saying, “I’m very excited about my new role I’ll be working on a variety of tasks related to effectiveness and planning like supporting our Higher Learning Commission accreditation, reviewing different areas on campus, and helping people connect with data in a meaningful way.”
Dr. Willman is a self described data nerd, and has previously been employed at Henry Ford College’s Institutional Research and Business Intelligence department as a Research Analyst.
She discussed what her duties had been prior to her new position: “In my previous role, I helped with federal and state reporting, examining data as it relates to student success, and communicating with data users. I’ll be doing similar tasks, but my primary focus will be promoting institutional effectiveness and helping with other planning and assessment needs. I’m looking forward to continued work with the HFC community and helping use data to drive effective change.”
Dr. Willman started in her new position back in mid June, in which she now directly reports to Dr. Lori Gonko, who serves as the college’s Interim President. Dr. Willman is part of the college’s Strategy and HR division.
Dr. Gonko said of Dr. Willman’s new position, “Institutional effectiveness refers to the way that data is leveraged across all facets of the institution, including planning, assessment, and continuous improvement of our departments and programs. It involves breaking down the data into digestible, actionable information. Laura’s education, experience, and friendly, accessible demeanor make her a natural for this role. I’m really excited to work with her in this new capacity.”
Dr. Willman is a first-generation college student, and the youngest of two daughters. She was born in Indianapolis, and now lives in Oakland County.
She graduated from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory in Indianapolis before going on to earn her bachelor degree in sociology and psychology from Xavier University in Cincinnati. She then went on to earn both her master’s and doctoral degrees in applied experimental psychology from Central Michigan University.
Speaking about her educational experience, Dr. Willman said, “I’ve learned so much so quickly and will continue to listen, learn, and ask questions in my new role.”
While working toward her Ph.D. at CMU, she fostered her interest in institutional research. Dr. Amanda Scherr, who served as one of Willman’s mentors, and as CMU Assistant Director of Academic Planning and Analysis, encouraged Willman to pursue that interest, saying that she was meant for that line of study.
Dr. Willman talked about her line of work, saying, “I love getting to use data to better understand who our students are and how they’re performing or helping identify areas we could improve in serving them. I’m lucky to work with such smart people who are also data nerds like me. I’ve also developed friendships with others on campus and really enjoy finding new ways to collaborate.”
IRBI director and Dr. Willman’s previous supervisor Dr. Jason D. Young was pleased to hear about her new role. He said, "Laura's transition to Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness marks a significant step, not just for her, but for the College. Her strong analytical and educational background will be a tremendous asset in her new role. I eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with her as we strive for excellence.”
Dr. Willman is not only the new Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness, but she also became the chair of SAFE@HFC during the Winter 2025 semester. SAFE@HFC is a campus organization of faculty and staff volunteers who work to spread awareness on campus when it comes to promoting inclusion, providing support, and connecting Henry Ford College students and staff to resources that help the LGBTQ+ community.
She said of the organization, “One of my major goals for SAFE@HFC is to keep up the momentum of last semester by planning events and opportunities to come together in the Fall 2025 semester. We were able to do so many great events this past spring, including collecting almost 500 pounds of food donations for the Hawks’ Nest and collaborating with the student-led Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) Club. A primary goal in the 2025-26 fiscal year is to restart ally training and find more ways to connect and support others.”
Dr. Chelsea Lonsdale, who serves as SAGA faculty advisor and has worked alongside Dr. Willman at SAFE, noted, "Laura's enthusiasm as the SAFE@HFC chair is contagious! Her educational background and her dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff make her an excellent leader, not only for SAFE@HFC but for HFC as a whole! The opportunities we’ve had to collaborate this past year have renewed my sense of hope and possibility. I’m so grateful to work alongside her.”
More information about Henry Ford College can be found at the school’s website.