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by Brenton Smith '07
Effective July 1, Dr. Joyce Howell began her new position as the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs. She replaced Dr. Stephen Mansfield, who recently stepped down to become the College's Director of Archives.
Howell started at Virginia Wesleyan in 1984 as an adjunct professor. In 1989, she became an assistant professor before becoming the Batten Professor of Art History and Curator of Exhibitions in 1999.
In 1974, Howell made history as being part of the University of Virginia's 
first graduating class with women. She was also an inducted member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and acquired a B.A. and M.A. from the school. In 1988, she received her Ph.D. after spending three years writing her dissertation on the painter Delacroix.
Howell has been anxious to start her new position at Virginia Wesleyan. She sees this job as a chance to make a difference in the College's academic community.
"I look forward to strengthening, supporting and improving our academic programs," Howell said. She plans to strengthen the programs by "working closely with our faculty. This is important as they are the professional core of the College."
Howell was asked to fill this position for the 2006-2007 school year by President Billy Greer. During this time a national search will be conducted to find a permanent replacement for Mansfield. Howell has been working closely with Mansfield and his assistant, Judy Tinsley, in order to gain a better understanding of what her new responsibilities will be.
"A big part of my job is that professors count on me to turn their creative visions into a reality," said Howell. "I will also be working to help improve relationships between faculty and students."
Some of the other responsibilities Howell's new position requires include hiring new faculty members, dealing with the individual concerns of students and managing many of the academic programs the College offers.
There are a number of new initiatives Howell has been working on that she will be continuing to develop, such as the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which focuses on trying to enhance the quality of student learning by encouraging inquiry.
"I am looking forward to working on the school's new initiatives," said Howell. These initiatives are a great way to improve the College's academic programs, which is important to Howell because she believes "the academic program is the heart of the College."
Howell will return to her regular position after the upcoming academic year is complete, so she is not going to have to miss her job.
"As long as I am still looking at and thinking about art I am content."
In Howell's absence, Dr. Leslie Hennessey will be teaching two of her Art History classes and Mr. John Rudel will take over her Art Collection and Exhibition duties.
Howell is very appreciative of her new position and will not be taking it lightly. She has very high respect for the job Mansfield has done for so long and is "excited about having the opportunity and the challenge."
"It's a great honor, after all."