BVU Announces New Deans and New School of Liberal Arts
Strong academic programs will fall underneath four schools: The Harold Walter Siebens School of Business, School of Education, School of Science, and the new School of Liberal Arts.
As a part of an institutional culture of continuous improvement, BVU is reorganizing its academic programs into four schools. This change will take effect next academic year (2019-2020). The Harold Walter Siebens School of Business and the School of Education remain relatively unchanged. However, the School of Science will be growing via the addition of the exercise science majors, and the new School of Liberal Arts brings together the School of Communication and Arts and the School of Social Science, Philosophy, and Religion. This combination joins faculty from the fine arts, social sciences, and humanities underneath the strong academic department of liberal arts.
The transition begins with the naming of the deans who will oversee the implementation and provide leadership for the four schools. We have appointed three existing faculty members to dean positions.
“I am excited to collaborate with this group of professionals as we work with President Merchant to implement our new strategic plan, foster BVU’s culture of continuous improvement, and implement new programs.”
Dr. Brian Lenzmeier
Dr. Ann Monroe-Baillargeon, dean of the School of Education, arrived over the summer and will continue leading the School of Education.
Dr. Dixee Bartholomew-Feis has been named dean of the new School of Liberal Arts. She says, “People often find their joy in areas of the liberal arts. For some it becomes a career choice; for others it’s what they enjoy alongside their careers. In both cases, I look forward to celebrating all that we have to offer to our students in this new School.” Bartholomew-Feis is a George Wythe Award laureate and an experienced dean in the School of Social Science, Philosophy, and Religion. She earned a B.A. from West Virginia University, a M.A. from The College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. in history from The Ohio State University. Bartholomew-Feis is the author of the book The OSS and Ho Chi Minh: Unexpected Allies in the War Against Japan. The faculty member has spent 22 years at BVU as a history professor, teaching a wide array of courses in world and Asian history. During her time at BVU, Bartholomew-Feis has worked in many leadership roles in addition to dean of Social Science, Philosophy, and Religion including: interim dean of the School of Education, creator and director of the Bridges program, interim assistant dean of faculty, Japanese Exchange & Study Abroad coordinator, and district coordinator for the National History Day Program.
Lisa Kesting-Best, J.D., has been named dean of the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business. Best has extensive higher education law experience and has played an integral role in revising the faculty handbook and developing new academic programs. Best received her B.S. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and acquired her J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Admissions to the Bar include the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Iowa, as well as the United States District Court. During her time at BVU, Best’s professional experiences include: interim dean of the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business; special counsel to the provost and vice president for academic affairs; professor, associate, and assistant professor; pre-law advisor; Grievance Board; handbook steering team; Title IX adjudicator; and law school program liaison. Prior to her time at BVU, Best’s professional experiences include: corporate defense attorney, legal consultant, adjunct professor at Austin Peay State University, judicial law clerk, teaching assistant at Southern Illinois University, law library and research clerk, and paralegal.
Dr. Thomas Bonagura has been appointed as dean of the School of Science. He is a two-time recipient of the Student Senate Faculty of the Year Award and Honors Program director. Bonagura received his B.S. from the University of Maryland at College Park and acquired his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. During his time at BVU, Bonagura has served in multiple roles including: associate and assistant professor of biology, faculty senator, chair of the institutional review board, and chair of the animal care and use committee. Prior to his time at BVU, Bonagura’s professional experiences include: adjunct professor at Elizabethtown College, research associate University of Maryland School of Medicine, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, mentor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine for the Minority Student Summer Fellowship Program and the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program of the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, and teaching assistant at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Brian Lenzmeier, provost and vice president for academic affairs says, “We have a great team of deans in place for our new academic school structure next year. Two of our deans are long-time BVU faculty members and bring historical perspectives, and two are relatively new to BVU and bring fresh outside perspectives.” He added, “I am excited to collaborate with this group of professionals as we work with President Merchant to implement our new strategic plan, foster BVU’s culture of continuous improvement, and implement new programs.”