Erin Mann is the new dean of Humanities at Volunteer State Community College. She comes most recently from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where she was associate provost of Academic Operations. The Humanities Division is the largest academic area at Vol State, encompassing eight departments ranging from English to Entertainment Media Production.
“I’d been looking for a leadership position that would let me work more closely with faculty and students than my previous position, and I really wanted to find something at a community college because I think they’re doing cutting-edge things for students who need it,” Mann said. “I value a clear mission. The Vol State Humanities Division, in particular, seemed like a really great mix of traditional general education transfer classes, hands-on and practical degrees, and arts and letters all working together.”
Mann has taught English at Lindenwood University Belleville, the University of Iowa, and Mount Mercy University. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in English Literature from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in English and German from Rice University in Houston.
“My goals are to support the faculty to the fullest extent as they begin the new semester, and to get to know them, and through them, the students,” she said. “This semester will be a lot of listening and communicating, I expect. Long term, my goals will probably align with those of the college and schools across the country: continue to grow enrollment in our programs. Continue to improve graduation and transfer rates. Find new ways to serve our students and keep perfecting the old ways.”
For more information about Humanities programs at Vol State visit: www.volstate.edu/humanities
