Judson University announces several changes to academic and student life leadership for the upcoming school year.
Judson said farewell to Chief Academic Officer and Provost Dr. Gillian Stewart-Wells and welcomes Dr. Lanette Poteete-Young, a long-time Judson community member, to serve as the Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Dr. Gillian Stewart-Wells joined the University Cabinet as Provost and Chief Academic Officer in October 2018. Since arriving at Judson in 2008, Dr. Stewart-Wells has been a Professor in Judson’s undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs; and, for eight years, she co-directed Judson’s first doctoral program. In her tenure at Judson, she served as Faculty Moderator, Chairs of both Strategic Planning and Graduate Academic Policies Committee, and as a member of the President’s Advisory Council, Academic Cabinet, Campus Diversity Initiative, University Assessment, and the Institutional Review Board. In addition, in 2013, she coordinated efforts to earn Higher Learning Commission approval for the Doctor of Education in Literacy program.
“I am so grateful for the 15-plus years I have been at Judson,” states Dr. Stewart-Wells. “I know how deeply I will miss seeing my fellow colleagues and the students on a daily basis, but I look forward to watching how they continue to shape lives that shape the world!”
While Dr. Stewart-Wells leaves Judson to pursue other interests within higher education, she will return to campus for Judson’s Founders’ Day in October to receive the Golden Eagle Award, one of the university’s highest honors, in recognition of her service.
Effective June 1, Dr. Lanette Poteete-Young will assume the role of Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Poteete-Young received her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Michigan State University. She has been teaching and working at Judson University first as a Full Professor of Mathematics, then Dean, and most recently, the Associate Provost of Academic Curriculum. She also took graduate courses in Statistics from Northern Illinois University to improve her teaching in statistics. Her interests lie in mathematics pedagogy and curriculum development.
Dr. Brenda Buckley-Hughes and Dr. Pete Sandberg will become Assistant Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs to fulfill the role vacated with Dr. Poteete-Young’s promotion.
Dr. Brenda Buckley-Hughes joined the Judson University faculty in 1994. With more than 40 years in higher education, Dr. Buckley-Hughes has been a professor in undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs. In addition to teaching, she has held administrative positions in post-secondary education: Department Chair of Communication Studies, Department Chair of Worship Arts, and Co-Director of Doctoral Studies in Education. Dr. Buckley-Hughes earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Tennessee Temple University, and an EdD. in Educational Leadership/Higher Education with Curriculum and Communication Studies from the University of Tennessee. Her scholarship agenda focuses largely on change in higher education, telepresence in doctoral programs, and on speech communication instruction ranging from elementary grades through higher education.
Dr. Pete Sandberg joined the faculty at Judson in 1999 as a Professor of Mathematics and Physics. Prior to his new role, Dr. Sandberg served as chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics from 2008-2013 and has coordinated faculty development activities since 2019. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of South Carolina. While at Judson, Dr. Sandberg has led student Mission Projects for Judson University to New Orleans for post-Katrina clean-up and to the south side of Chicago to expose students to urban life and mission. He has also participated in the cast for Judson productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Clue: The Musical, and Newsies.
In other changes, Vice President for Student Success and Registrar Virginia (Ginny) Guth will be elevated to the role of Senior Vice President. Ms. Guth began serving as Associate Vice President for Student Success in the fall 2013 and became the Vice President for Student Success and University Registrar in June 2019. Ms. Guth has 25 years of experience in higher education, beginning her career serving as a records coordinator where she identified her passion for serving students. Ginny earned her bachelor’s degree in human services in 2002 and her master’s degree in organizational leadership in 2008, with an emphasis in academic advising, at Judson.
“I’m honored that Judson University is able to promote so many talented and impactful faculty and administrators,” said Judson President Dr. Gene Crume. “While we wish our colleagues well in their future careers, we have a deep bench to continue our work of providing students with an exceptional experience that will truly shape their lives.”