October 8, 2018 (Jackson, Miss.) - After an extensive national search, Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott has appointed Dr. Bradford Smith the University's new provost and vice president of academic affairs. The president announced the selection to faculty and staff September 12, 2018 and presented a new leadership structure that matches the University's demands for the future.
“We have a remarkable faculty and it was a tall-order to find an exceptional academic leader that would serve with them at high levels,” said Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott. “Dr. Smith brings together a unique combination of strengths and experiences to be the ideal match to serve as provost in this time of dramatic growth for the University. From his international perspective to his deep commitment to Mississippi - combined with two doctorates - makes him comprehensively qualified. Having worked with him through his four years at Belhaven, I've been impressed at his wide-ranging administrative gifts and his unwavering commitment to effectively strengthen our Christ-centered mission.”
Dr. Smith served as Belhaven's Dean of Arts and Sciences and School of Fine Arts.He obtained a B.S. in engineering at Tufts University and then a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He earned two doctorate degrees, one in clinical psychology from University of Massachusetts - Boston and the other in education from Claremont Graduate University.
He is a licensed psychologist and has taught psychology and worldview capstone courses at Belhaven. In 2014, Dr. Smith founded Belhaven's Institute for International Care and Counsel and has served as director. For the past 20 years, Dr. Smith has taught and consulted in the area of mental health and Christian counseling, both locally and internationally. He is the former director of strategic innovation for the Mission Advanced Research and Communication Center of World Vision International. He currently serves as the Catalyst for Global Mental Health and Trauma for the Lausanne Movement.
Dr. Smith served as the first cross-cultural and international track leader for the Christian Association of Psychological Studies (CAPS). He co-authored the 2017 book Global Mental Health and the Church and is currently working on another book, Global Mental Health: Expanding the Transforming Mission of the Church for InterVarsity Press. Dr. Smith has also co-edited the Journal of Psychology and Christianity's special issue on Psychology in the Global Context.
“I want to work with faculty to draw the most out of each unique department,” said Dr. Smith. “I am blessed to work with so many diverse, gifted people with so much passion for teaching their particular discipline. I enjoy nothing more than watching students learning in a lab or being part of a performance. I love the full range of how Belhaven gives opportunities for students to engage with God's creation.”
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Due to increased growth among its nine regional campuses, 4,500 enrolled students, academic partnerships, online degree programs, and new doctoral programs, Dr. Parrott has reorganized Belhaven's academic leadership to better serve the needs of the University and its students.
Dr. Audrey Kelleher will now undertake the role of vice president for online academic affairs. For a decade Dr. Kelleher has led Belhaven's Enrollment and Student Services for its regional campuses.
“Audrey has proven her ability to take complexities and focus that energy on the priorities that will best achieve our mission,” said Dr. Parrott. “I'm thrilled she will be using those gifts and experiences to now serve our rapidly growing online student body. Audrey is a trusted leader on our campus, and she is an exceptional choice to provide academic leadership for this highly specialized area of online education.”
Dr. Kelleher has a B.S. in management and M.Ed. in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in leadership and education from Barry University. Her dissertation focused on the adult learner in higher education.
“It is my honor to serve in this new and exciting role at Belhaven University,” said Dr. Kelleher. “My goal for this new position is to expand Belhaven's global reach through offering cutting edge online programs. Through our online platform, we can deliver quality programs that have long been a part of what makes Belhaven such a wonderful place to work and learn.”
Dr. Vicki Wolfe will manage the role of associate vice president for academic support. She came to Belhaven having served as provost of Southeastern Bible College. Much of Dr. Wolfe's work is focused on Belhaven's traditional students, and her leadership encompasses every aspect of academic support.
Dr. Parrott adds, “We are fortunate to have in Vicki an academic leader with a depth of experience, deep love for students, and the ability to blend together the complexity of all the factors of students' learning process to provide the level of support that will assure every student achieves their best.”
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