After a nationwide search, Beth E. Concepción started as Linfield’s vice president for academic affairs and provost on July 31.
Concepción comes to Linfield from Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she served as vice provost for educational innovation and executive director for the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence. She previously served in other academic leadership and faculty positions at Oglethorpe University and Savannah College of Art and Design.
She earned a Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication from the University of South Carolina, as well as an M.A. and MFA in media and performing arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, a B.A. in English from Oglethorpe University and a B.S. in geosciences from Mississippi State University. Her research interests include journalism ethics and practice, journalism education and television news gatekeeping.
Concepción is from Atlanta, Georgia, and has more than 30 years of experience as a journalist working for media organizations. In alignment with her experience and education, Concepción also will serve as professor of journalism and media studies. Her background in reporting helped her develop skills that have served her well in the world of higher education, she said.
“As a journalist, you always gather a wide variety of information and perspectives, then synthesize and communicate in a way that facilitates understanding and action,” she said. “You interact, engage with and listen to a wide variety of humans. It’s invaluable training for any leader.”
