Randolph-Macon President Dr. Michael E. Hill announced organizational changes Tuesday that aim to help the College advance important strategic goals aligned with its mission and the College’s national reputation for supporting student success.  

Recruitment is now underway for a new Associate Provost and Dean for Student Success, a new Cabinet-level position.This leader will help bring together many of the resources that already support supports—academic advising, academic support, accessibility resources, career development, orientation, and transition programs—into a more connected and cohesive Center for Student Success. 

“This position reflects a clear commitment to helping students find their path, succeed academically, and prepare for life after Randolph-Macon,” President Hill wrote in an email to students. “Our goal is simple: to make it easier for you to access support, guidance, and opportunities at every stage of your journey here.”

The Associate Provost and Dean for Student Success will oversee a portfolio that includes leadership of the signature program outlined by the College’s recent strategic plan. 

Earlier this month, Provost Alisa Rosenthal was named the next Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Denison University. Rosenthal will remain in her current role through the end of this academic year and support the search for the new Associate Provost. Hill explained that the Provost’s departure accelerated plans for the Center for Student Success.  

“I am hopeful that the successful candidate will have an opportunity to work with Alisa for a brief period, benefiting from her insight and partnership as we bring this long-discussed role to life,” President Hill said.

President Hill also announced new initiatives to support Randolph-Macon’s mission to develop mind and character and position the College to more intentionally lead in the areas of pluralism, civil discourse, ethical leadership, and engagement across difference. As such, he appointed Dr. Lauren Bell as the Senior Advisor for Mission Advancement and Founding Director of the RMC Pluralism Project, effective June 1. Bell will continue to serve as Associate Provost until that time.

“I am deeply committed to our mission to develop mind and character—and I see a significant opportunity for us to lean in, particularly on the latter,” President Hill remarked. “Dr. Bell’s experience in strategic planning, academic leadership, and political science uniquely positions her to design and lead an effort focused on pluralism, civil discourse, ethical leadership, and respectful engagement across differences.”

In this role, Bell will represent the College externally in these efforts and provide strategic counsel as Randolph-Macon works to distinguish itself as a place where students become ethical leaders. She will also continue to teach, write, and contribute scholarship as the James L. Miller Professor in Political Science.