Leadership

Brandon Eakins is the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the Elkhart Area Career Center (EACC). With a Master's in CTE from Purdue University and another in Special Need Education with a focus on Severe Emotional Disabilities from Indiana University South Bend, Brandon has dedicated 25 years to the field of education.

Brandon began his career as a Teacher at Bashor Alternative School before becoming a Teacher/Behavioral Specialist at Elkhart Memorial High School. He holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Social Studies Education from Indiana University South Bend. Joining EACC in 2013 as the Special Needs Coordinator, Brandon's leadership led to his roles as Principal (2018-2019) and current position as Director.

A member of ACTE, IACTE, and IACTED, Brandon is deeply engaged in professional organizations. Outside academia, he contributes to the community through Kiwanis and serves on committees like the Northern Indiana Workforce Board, SBREP Education and Workforce Committee, and Healthcare Talent Partnership Steering Committee. Brandon is highly dedicated to enhancing educational experiences for students and fostering community partnerships.

Scott Sassaman is the Principal at Elkhart Area Career Center (EACC). With a Master's in Educational Leadership from Ball State University and a Bachelor's in Technology Education from Purdue University, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge to his role.

In his 27-year career, Scott has been a teacher at Elkhart Central High School and Elkhart Memorial High School before joining EACC as a teacher in 2009. He later served as Associate Principal at Pierre Moran and Assistant Principal at Elkhart Central High School.

Since 2019, Scott has been the Principal at EACC, demonstrating his commitment to educational excellence and student success. He is an active member of the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) and a former Vice President of the Elkhart Principals Association, showcasing his dedication to professional development and local educational leadership initiatives. Scott's leadership is marked by innovation, a student-centric approach, and a passion for shaping the future of education at Elkhart Area Career Center.

Kelly Blair-Kinkaide is the Assistant Principal at the Elkhart Area Career Center (EACC). She holds a Bachelor's in Dietetics from Purdue University, a Master's in Education/Curriculum and Instruction from Ferris State University, and an Educational Leadership Certification from Purdue University.

With 21 years of experience in education, Kelly has held various teaching and educational leadership roles in Michigan and Indiana, including 10 years in alternative education and 6 years in school leadership roles. Before joining EACC, she served as an Assistant Principal at Elkhart Memorial and later as the Principal of the School of Health and Public Safety at Elkhart High School. This is Kelly's 16th year with Elkhart Community Schools. In addition to her work in K-12 education, Kelly has periodically taught classes for Ivy Tech Community College over the last 10 years.

Kelly is passionate about Career and Technical Education (CTE), believing that "as we know, life has so many different paths a person can take. I feel as a school community we need to provide all options for all students to find and explore what they are passionate about, and help them learn the skills necessary to be successful. EACC programs teach valuable life and career skills in general no matter where life takes a person."

She is particularly drawn to the diversity of programs offered at EACC and values the real-world, hands-on work that students engage in. Kelly also appreciates the strong connections that EACC builds with community partners to provide quality opportunities for students and looks forward to continued growth of the EACC.