Leadership Transition in EMSS
I write to share a transition in leadership of the Enrollment Management and Student Success Division.
Dr. Michelle Brown-Nevers has made the difficult decision to leave her role as Vice President and return to Philadelphia to be with her family. Her last day on campus will be February 3. Dr. Brown-Nevers quickly has become a valued member of the NOVA community and has shared with me how much she has treasured her time with us. However, the needs of her family must come first, and I understand and support her decision. I know you join me in wishing her the very best.
Over the past year, Dr. Brown-Nevers has dedicated herself to serving our students and the EMSS division. She has been a strong advocate for student success and the work of our student services faculty and staff. Under her leadership, NOVA has made great progress in the ongoing advising redesign work, begun the NOVA Corps student internship program, and established our first strategic enrollment management plan, among other accomplishments. EMSS is moving forward in positive ways, and I appreciate all that Dr. Brown-Nevers has done in her time with us.
The outstanding faculty and staff in the EMSS division have faced significant change and transition over the past three years, and the personal and professional disruptions created by the pandemic have been amplified by leadership and organizational transitions. Throughout it all, these valued colleagues have remained fully committed to our students and our college. So, in identifying leadership for the division, I was guided by one clear goal: the need to provide NOVA’s outstanding student services professionals and our inspiring students with the stability and support they deserve.
For this reason, I am pleased to share that Dr. Beatrice McKeithen, Medical Education Campus Dean for Student Success, has agreed to serve as the acting Vice President for EMSS. She is a highly respected and accomplished leader whose restricted appointment to this role through at least the 2023-2024 academic year will bring both exemplary experience and needed continuity to the division.
Dr. McKeithen’s three decades of leadership and achievement at NOVA document her commitment to student success, to her colleagues, and to our college. She understands our students; knows the important and impactful roles of the faculty and staff on our campuses and across the college; and believes deeply in our mission. As she shared with me, when she joined NOVA almost thirty years ago, she found her home and never looked back, and we are the better for it. Most recently, Dr. McKeithen has been serving as an interim Associate Vice President in EMSS and previously served as interim Provost of the MEC. I am grateful to her for stepping up to serve NOVA once more.
Dr. McKeithen will begin her new role on February 1 and is eager to continue the positive momentum in the division, with a focus on building and supporting the EMSS team, completing the advising redesign, continuing the implementation of the strategic enrollment management plan, and beginning (and concluding) searches for key vacancies. Most significantly, she is looking forward to working with her longtime NOVA colleagues in supporting our students and advancing their success.
Again, please join me in thanking Dr. Michelle Brown-Nevers and welcoming Dr. Beatrice McKeithen.
Republished from President Kress’ Communication to the College Community, Jan. 19, 2023