Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Bell is Accomplished Academic Leader and Biochemist
Adelphi, MD — (March 7, 2012) – Patricia S. Florestano, chair of the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents, today announced the appointment of Juliette B. Bell as president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Bell is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Central State University in Wilberforce, OH. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2012.
Bell, a biochemist, is recognized as a strong advocate for increasing the number of minority scientists. She has dedicated much of her career to providing opportunities for students to participate in scientific research.
“We are extremely pleased that Dr. Bell has accepted our appointment as president of UMES,” Florestano said. “She has an impressive record of outstanding leadership in many areas, including enhancing academic excellence, creating opportunities to attract research and private support, and nurturing pathways of success for students. The board is confident that she will serve the university, our system, and our state extremely well in the years ahead.”
Bell has 20 years of higher education experience, spanning teaching, research, and administration. As Central State University’s academic chief since August 2009, she is responsible for the institution’s academic agenda, including improving student performance outcomes, developing new programs, and enhancing academic excellence. Her accomplishments are many. She restructured the academic colleges to create the first College of Science and Engineering, developed the University College as a special unit to support retention of freshmen and transfer students, oversaw the implementation of the university’s first online courses, and enhanced international education programming.
Prior to joining Central State, Bell was interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Winston-Salem State University, providing leadership in academic program planning and implementation, strategic planning and budgeting, enrollment management, research, faculty affairs, and information technology. During this six-month temporary assignment, she was credited with securing an endowed professorship in physical therapy as well as implementing academic program review.
“It is a privilege to welcome Dr. Bell to the University System of Maryland,” USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan said. “As an academic leader, she has increased student retention and graduation rates and promoted academic excellence across disciplines. As an accomplished scholar and scientist, she has the experience needed to further align UMES’ academic, research, and outreach activities with the workforce and economic development needs of the Eastern Shore and the state, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. And as a successful grants writer and fundraiser, she brings expertise in attracting outside resources and developing partnerships that are so critical, especially during these difficult economic times.”
Kirwan also expressed his gratitude to the presidential search committee. “Under the outstanding leadership of UMES Alumnus Al Cornish, the committee of faculty, staff, students, and alumni during the past nine months did an excellent job of carrying out its responsibilities.”
A Talladega, AL native, Bell was the first in her family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Talladega College. She earned her Ph.D. in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration from Atlanta Ux
