BCC Names New Dean for New Bedford Campus

Shanna L. Howell, Ph.D., has been named Dean of the Bristol Community College New Bedford Campus. Dr. Howell comes to Bristol after working as Director of Student Success at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. She begins her new duties at Bristol Community College on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Dr. Howell’s move to Bristol marks her return to her home state. She is originally from the Boston area and has a host of family living in Massachusetts.

In her new role at the New Bedford Campus, she will utilize her experience leading urban campuses, including fostering a student-centered educational environment responsive to the needs of diverse students, as well as the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the greater New Bedford region. She will also advance relationships with area institutions, community organizations and leaders to develop linkages and collaborations.

 Dr. Howell earned her Bachelor of Science in sociology at The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga.; her Master of Science in adult learning and organizational performance from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and her Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership and policy studies, community college leadership program, from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Following positions at The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga.; Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and Des Moines Area Community College, in Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Howell joined Grand View University in 2018 as the institution’s Director of Student Success. During this time, Dr. Howell provided leadership for the implementation of strategies to address degree completion challenges, directed the institution’s tutoring center, the ALT Center and developed activities related to increasing student success. She was also responsible for creating a comprehensive academic probation program and increasing the usage of the university’s tutoring center, by more than 15 percent.

Dr. Howell has served as a volunteer for the United Way of Central Iowa’s annual Graduation Walk, which encourages high school students who have dropped out of school to complete requirements for their high school diploma. She has also supported the annual Back 2 School Bash at the John R. Grubb YMCA, in Des Moines, Iowa, that serves and supports underrepresented students, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Information from Bristol Community College