New leader takes post at WMU regional site in Benton Harbor

A familiar face is now in a new post. Luann M. Harden has been named to head WMU-Southwest, Western Michigan University’s regional site headquartered at 2785 E. Napier Ave. in Benton Harbor.

Harden previously coordinated marketing and communications in Extended University Programs, which is responsible for the seven regional sites WMU operates in Michigan.

Harden assumed her new post Jan. 3. 

A WMU staff member for the past six years, Harden is no stranger to Southwest Michigan or Extended University Programs. She began her WMU career as an office associate for the South Haven regional site, then moved to WMU-Southwest in 2006 to lead that site’s recruitment and marketing efforts as student services coordinator.

She joined the Extended University Programs main office in Kalamazoo two years later. In that job, Harden coordinated marketing activities and assisted with strategic marketing planning for all of the university’s regional locations and its online education office.

Before joining the university, Harden co-founded and served as vice president of Shore Line Industries Inc. in Benton Harbor. She served as human resource manager at Airboss Inc. in South Haven. She also was the owner and manager of Harden Studio and Gallery.

Harden is pursuing a doctoral degree at WMU in educational leadership with a higher education concentration and an enrollment management focus. Harden holds a bachelor’s degree in art and a master’s in educational leadership, both from WMU.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Amy Routhier, Western Michigan University