Biography
Una Mae Reck became chancellor at Indiana University South Bend on July 1, 2002. Since then, there have been many accomplishments including some historic achievements.
Reck led the way for the construction of the long-awaited pedestrian bridge that links the main campus to 26.5 acres across the St,. Joseph River. The completion of the pedestrian bridge allowed IU South Bend to develop student housing for the first time in its history. The River Crossing Campus Apartments opened in August, 2008. Under Reck’s leadership, IU South Bend also established its first permanent presence in downtown Elkhart. The IU South Bend Elkhart Center opened for classes in August, 2007,
During Reck’s tenure new degree programs have been added including a masters’ of nursing degree and bachelor’s degrees in medical imaging technology, dental hygiene, and new media. Enrollment has also been strong with records set for credit hours taken and the largest beginner cohort (1,072) in 2007.
A native of Houston, Texas, Reck was the first member of her family to attend college. She earned her elementary education degree from the District of Columbia Teachers College in 1968, and became a first-grade teacher in inner-city Washington, D.C. Later, she taught remedial and gifted students in the Appalachian Mountains of Boone, N.C.
Realizing that some children were not given equal opportunities for education, she was motivated to continue her own education. Reck knew that she could make a greater impact by developing curriculum and programs. She earned a master's degree in reading from Federal City College, Washington, D.C., and her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Her administrative career spans nearly 25 years. Initially, she was the coordinator of planning and curriculum at Reich College of Education, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. From 1984 to 1990, she served as assistant dean for curriculum, scholarship, and publications at Reich College, becoming associate dean from 1990 to 1991.
Reck also served as the dean of the College of Education at Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pa. from 1991-1998 and the vice president for academic affairs at State University of New York at Fredonia from 1998 - 2002.
