Dr. Jeffrey Bell was named dean of Bemidji State University’s College of Individual and Community Health.
Dr. Allen Bedford, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bemidji State, said he is looking forward to Bell’s contributions and leadership as the new CICH dean.
“Dr. Bell has a combination of skills that allow him to see what’s possible and to support groups with strategic, deliberate steps toward a shared vision. These skills will allow him to strengthen the role that the College of Individual and Community Health plays in reinforcing the wellbeing of people, communities, and environments that combine to make northern Minnesota a special place to live and learn. He will strengthen the college’s efforts to advance multicultural understanding, and accelerate the success of Indigenous students. He understands and is drawn to the special responsibilities that BSU and the college have to our region.“
Bell joined BSU administration from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, where he’s been for 12 years, most recently as the interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences.
Bell succeeds Dr. Jim White, a Bemidji State alumnus and professor of human performance, sport and health, who served as interim dean for the College of Individual and Community Health since August 2020.
“Throughout the interview process I found welcoming and passionate people who were focused on serving the region but more importantly focused on helping students live inspired lives,” Bell said.
“The College of Individual and Community Health at BSU is positioned to fully realize the goal of impacting the health of individuals and their communities.”
This college was created as part of an overall restructuring effort in 2018 and includes seven departments: criminal justice; human performance, sport & health; nursing; political science; psychology; social work; sociology & communication studies; and the center for sustainability studies.
