From Night Classes to the President’s Office: Lori Ragland’s Unexpected Journey to Lead Rend Lake College
Published: November 20, 2025
Author: Liz Dowell
The first female president of Rend Lake College is a success story of Greenville University’s adult degree program. She never expected to stay - but calling has a way of rewriting plans.
When Lori Ragland ‘02 walked into a Greenville University classroom in Centralia, Illinois, she wasn't chasing a title or a future in higher education. She was trying to improve her education career.
Working full-time, raising a young child, and juggling life's demands, Ragland enrolled in GU's adult degree completion program in 2001. The plan? Finish her bachelor's degree in organizational leadership and move on - maybe to a job in the courthouse, perhaps something else. "I thought I'd just work at Rend Lake College until I figured out what I wanted," she said. "Turns out, it was what I wanted."
Two decades later, on July 1, 2025, Ragland became the first woman to serve as president of Rend Lake College.
A Reluctant Start, a Remarkable Climb
Ragland’s career began not in academia, but in courtrooms. After high school, she studied court reporting and worked as a freelance stenographer. But when a hiring freeze stalled her plans to work in the courthouse, she applied for an administrative assistant position at Rend Lake College - just until something better came along.
That “something better” turned out to be Rend Lake College itself.
From her first role in the Foundation Office, Ragland progressed steadily through the ranks, holding positions that included assistant director, director, dean, and vice president. Along the way, she earned her master's in higher education administration and is now completing her doctoral degree. "I didn't take the traditional path," she said. "But I kept moving forward. And I fell in love with this place."
Her deep knowledge of the college, combined with 25 years of service and trusted leadership, made her the natural choice to carry the torch. Now, as president, she’s leading with humility and vision. “I’m honored,” she said. “But mostly, I’m humbled. It means a lot to have the trust of people who’ve walked this road with me.”
Faith, Leadership, and Finding Purpose
Ragland's GU experience was brief but impactful. She still recalls the moment she set foot on Greenville's campus - for the first time - at her graduation. "That ceremony stands out to me," she said. "It was the only time I was there, but I felt like I belonged."
A lifelong Christian, Ragland credits her faith for the steady hope that carried her through career pivots and personal challenges. “I’ve always had this quiet confidence that I’m not alone,” she said. “Even when I didn’t know the next step, I knew I’d be okay.”
As a leader, that faith translates into authenticity, transparency, and listening. “I want people to feel heard,” she said. “That’s how we grow—by learning from each other.”
She doesn’t shy away from change, either. “It’s not always comfortable, but it’s necessary. We can’t be who we were 25 years ago and expect to survive. Innovation is essential.”
Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what she’d say to young women stepping into leadership roles, Ragland doesn’t hesitate.
“Be confident. Be hopeful. And don’t give up when it gets hard,” she said. “Find your cheerleaders. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. That’s what carried me.”
She pauses, then adds: “You don’t have to have it all figured out. I certainly didn’t. Just work hard and follow your passion.”
From FBLA Typing Champ to Campus Leader
Long before the boardroom, Ragland was an award-winning typist. In high school, she won the national Future Business Leaders of America typing competition, which included speed, accuracy, and formatting. That skill led her to court reporting, which in turn led her to Rend Lake College and ultimately to GU.
Now, she leads with the same quiet discipline that she drew on throughout her career: one keystroke, one decision, one step at a time.
