Central State University names New Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

President John W. Garland of Central State University today announced the appointment of Juliette B. Bell, Ph.D., to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Most recently, Dr. Bell was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, where she served in a variety of teaching and administrative positions for 17 years.

 "I am extremely excited to become a part of Central State University, a university with a dedicated administration, faculty and staff focused on a bright future," Dr. Bell stated. "The university has recently adopted CHANGE IS CENTRAL' as their tagline, and on campus I see a real energy and a dedication to quality growth."

 Central State University is heavily involved in their Speed to Scale initiative, to increase enrollment to 6,000 students by 2017, and Dr. Bell is enthusiastic about being part of even more success. "Central State has set worthy goals, and will focus on providing on-line learning and growing it's  inner city campus in Dayton which will add to the University's success," she  said. "As provost, I will ensure the highest level of academic excellence at Central State."

 Dr. Bell earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Talladega College, and her Ph.D. in chemistry from Atlanta University.  She completed postdoctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

 A renowned scientist and biochemist, Dr. Bell has earned numerous national honors and awards, including being one of four individuals in 2000 to receive the Millennium Award for Excellence in Teaching from the White House initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

She has also been named a "Giant in Science" by the Quality Education for Minorities/ Math Science Education Network. In 2000, she was featured as one of ten African American Life Scientists in an exhibition at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry entitled "Defying Tradition: African American Women in Science and Technology".

 Dr. Bell is a strong advocate for increasing the number of minority  scientists, and in her career has garnered over $9 million in grants to support biomedical research and training programs.

 "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bell as our provost," said President Garland.  "Her knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will be significant assets as we work to expand academic programs for students."


Central State University is a nationally recognized academic institution located in the heart of Ohio. The University has leading edge programs in urban education, engineering and science, and fine and performing arts.  Central State University has a welcoming diverse community designed with students in mind.  More than 80 percent of Central State University graduates go on to a graduate school or a career in their field of study within one year of graduation.

Central State University is where leaders are creating change.