Donna Bleck Leonowich

Professor,

Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs

Office Location: Founders Hall, Room 141 860-343-5784

Office Location 2: Wheaton Hall, Room 313,  860-343-5762

Email: dleonowich@mxcc.commnet.edu

Professor Donna Leonowich began her award-winning career at Middlesex Community College as an adjunct faculty member.   In 1983, she became a full-time Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of the Business Administration and Marketing programs.  She was promoted to Associate and Full professor and became the Business Division Chairperson in 1999, a position she held for twelve years.  In 2002, she was also appointed Interim Chairperson of the Mathematics Division, a position she retained until January 2011 when she was appointed Interim Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs.   In 2012, she was reappointed to the position of Interim Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs.

Realizing constant, dynamic changes in business and industry, Donna encourages students preparing for careers in business to remain current by reading daily publications, forecasting trends, and adjusting to the external environment.   Donna believes that each student has value and is passionately committed to helping them succeed - in business and in life. Focused on the individual worth of each student in and outside of the classroom, she creates an environment creative yet challenging, relaxing yet demanding that requires commitment, effort and determination for student success.

While teaching at the high school level, Donna became an advisor for the international, non-profit educational organization DECA.  This leadership group for marketing students relies on the support and guidance of professionals to help them meet the overall mission of “preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”  For her guidance and enthusiasm, Donna received the “DECA Exemplary Leadership Award” in 1992 and 1996.  She also receive and “Appreciation Award” from the Connecticut DECA Chapter for three consecutive years, and was named “Businessperson of the Year” by the Meriden Vocational Education Advisory Committee and Maloney High School DECA Chapters (1990). 

Throughout her career, Donna has been at the forefront of numerous campus activities and initiatives.  She has served on many college committees, assumed many leadership roles, has gained recognition for MxCC in the Greater Middletown and Meriden business community, and throughout the state.  Professor Leonowich has received numerous educational achievement awards and special community honors including “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005); The Women in Leadership Distinguished Service Award from the Meriden YWCA; The Distributive Education Teacher of the Year Award presented by the State Department of Education in conjunction with Sear’s; and The Sales and Marketing Executives International of Greater Hartford, Marketing Educator of the Year Award. 

Donna was a member of the Board of Directors at the Women and Families Center in Meriden (2009) and Vice-President (2010, 2011.)  She is a member of Delta Pi Epsilon National Honorary Professional Graduate Society in Business Education, the Connecticut Association of Marketing Educators (served as President from 1981 – 1983), and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce (previously serving as the Education Committee Representative). 

Donna received a Bachelor’s of Science degree with a focus on marketing and distributive education from Central Connecticut State University.  She earned a Master’s of Science degree in vocational-technical education, also from Central Connecticut State University.  She has completed several different management and supervision courses at St. Joseph College. 

In an effort to help improve and shape the quality of education at MxCC, Donna has participated in high-level events such as the State Governor’s Education Summit, the Information Training Technology Conference, and several Walt Disney Seminars (“Communicating with Style” and “Marketing Disney Style”.)  Additionally, Donna has written grants for the Tech Prep Program, served as a textbook reviewer for Prentice Hall (1985 – 2000) and William Brown Publishers.  She has also written various publications and curricula guides for secondary and post- secondary marketing programs.

For several decades as an educator, Donna has been writing her legacy in the mind and hearts of others.  She has worked long and hard to achieve professional and personal growth, development, and success.  Now, in the apex of her career, she takes great pride in being able to inspire and encourage other professionals to be the best they can be as they design their careers and prepare to write their legacy in the mind and hearts of others. Whether focused on teaching students or guiding colleagues, Donna makes a difference in the lives of those with whom she works.