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April 26, 2012
Navy Capt. Yolanda Y. Reagans (CNCS 1996), Vice Commandant of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), is set to become the 14th Commandant of DEOMI during a 10 a.m. change of command ceremony on June 8, 2012.
Captain Reagans will assume command from Mr. Ronald M. Joe, DEOMI’s first civilian Principal Director and member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), as he completes his appointment term at the helm of DEOMI. Mr. Joe previously served for five years as DEOMI’s 10th Commandant from 1991-1996 as an Army Colonel, at which time he retired after 30 years of service.
A native of Union, N.J., Captain Reagans entered the navy in 1983 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and receiving her commission. In November 1996, she graduated from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, earning a master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies. She then graduated in 1997 from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.
Prior to arriving at DEOMI, Captain Reagans served from May 2009 to June 2011 as commander, Navy Recruiting Region WEST, leading half of the navy’s total force recruiting mission.
Captain Reagans is the 2008 winner of the Women of Color Corporate Responsibility Award. She was recognized for her leadership in programs that introduce elementary and middle school students to opportunities available to them through the navy. One of the programs, Person Like Me, encouraged junior officers to speak about their naval experiences to K-8 students and promote the navy as a career option. Another diversity initiative ensured naval officers were groomed for senior-level positions.
DEOMI, established in 1971, enhances leadership and readiness by fostering positive human relations through education, training, and research. With a staff of approximately 150 civilian and military personnel, DEOMI now trains nearly 1,500 students per year. Since its inception in 1971, more than 40,000 DEOMI graduates from the Armed Forces, in the active and Reserve Components, as well as DOD civilian employees have attended DEOMI resident and non-resident courses while maintaining the DOD reputation as a place where all individuals have infinite dignity and worth.