The recently created position, director of institutional research and reporting at Allen Community College, has brought Deanna Mann back to southeast Kansas.
Mann’s role, as of April 1, is to collect, interpret and share data to support institutional planning, student success and college-wide discussions and decisions. Mann said she is excited to become part of the ACC team.
“I knew that Allen Community College was a place that functioned in a way that community colleges are supposed to,” she said. “You walk in and you know things are done right.”
But it is more than just the job that has Mann beaming. She considers herself to be back home.
Mann was born in Iola to Doug D. and Joan Dawson. Mann’s father was vice president of Allen County State Bank from 1967 to 1973. The family moved to Parsons when Mann was 5. After graduating from Parsons High School, she graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. She also worked as a student worker in the financial aid office.
After graduation, she worked at Garden City Community College for 24 years, first as a financial aid director and then in the school’s institutional research office. During that time she took online classes through Fort Hays University, graduating in 2005 with a master’s in organizational leadership.
In 2015, she joined Dodge City Community College where she worked as its director of institutional research.
When she found out Allen was hiring, she knew she had to apply for the position.
“It fit me perfectly,” she said. “It allowed me to get back to Southeast Kansas, closer to my family.”
Mann’s parents now live in Lawrence as well as her brother, Doug T. Dawson. Mann’s sister, Denise Landwehr, lives in Emporia and both of Mann’s sons, Nicholas and Cameron, attend Emporia State University.
“I am 80 miles from anywhere I would want to be in the world,” Mann said laughing.
Mann has fond memories of living on Iola’s Oak Street and experiencing good times with good friends. She has recently rekindled friendships with the Immel family.
“They are huge in my memory because our families were together a lot,” she said.
Although Mann is still settling in, she has found time to stroll Iola’s downtown square.
“I am so glad I am back here,” she said. “Since I have gotten here everyone has been so phenomenal.”
It’s community and friendships that Mann said she likes most about living in a small town like Iola.
College brings Iolan home
