MCS hires new director of diversity

Muncie Community Schools (MCS) Board of Trustees named Rhonda Ward as the district’s new director of Diversity, according to an MCS press release.

Ward currently serves as the assistant principal at Muncie Central High School where she will continue to serve, the press release states. She has served in that position for the past six years. Previously, she served as Muncie Central's head cross country and assistant track coach.

She spent seven years as an elementary teacher and interventionist in the MCS district, two years as a data coach at East Washington Academy and three years as assistant principal and athletic director at Wilson Middle School.

“Rhonda is the perfect person for this position as we take the next step with culturally responsive practices,” said Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, director of public education and CEO of MCS. “Her significant experience in Muncie Community Schools and longstanding involvement in Muncie civic organizations gives her unique qualifications that will help her succeed in this role.”

Ward is a 1987 graduate of the then Muncie Northside High School. She received her bachelors degree in psychology from Tennessee State University, where she ran track, a masters degree in education from Ball State and completed the principal licensure program at Indiana Wesleyan University.

“As a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and an active member of the MLK Dream Team, I believe I can make a difference in achieving MCS’ diversity goals,” Ward said. “It’s an exciting time to be an educator in Muncie and I’m looking forward to expanding how I can have an impact on the district.”

As director of diversity, she will be responsible for overseeing MCS’ diversity and inclusion efforts, including ones mentioned by Kwiatkowski in her recent statement about diversity, inclusion and racism at MCS.