Dr. Beth Concepción, vice provost for educational innovation, has been named executive director of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) effective today, May 1. She will report to Dr. Susan Murray, interim vice provost for online education.

“I want to thank Dr. Concepción for accepting this new role to strengthen our efforts toward teaching effectiveness and instructional design,” says Dr. Colin Potts, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “As we also expand our online education to deliver a high-quality S&T education to more non-traditional learners, CAFE will play a significant role, and Dr. Concepción’s expertise will be essential in facilitating this effort.”

Concepción joined S&T in September 2021. Prior to her role as vice provost, she served as assistant provost for strategic engagement in Oglethorpe University’s Hammack School of Business. She also served as dean of the School of Liberal Arts and chair of the writing department at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Concepción holds a Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication from the University of South Carolina, as well as master’s degrees in media and performing arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, and bachelor’s degrees in English and geosciences from Oglethorpe University and Mississippi State University, respectively. In addition to her academic achievements, Concepción has worked in the media industry and brings her experience as a former television journalist and to her role as teaching professor in English and technical communication.