Watkins College of Art Design and Film Admissions Staff

James Pierce

Dean of the Watkins Higher of Art

M.F.A. Savannah Higher of Art & Design, B.F.A. Belmont University

Location: Leu Heart for the Visual Arts 103

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James Pierce began his creative career in the video industry, working with everything from local to international clients. However, he primarily worked to help not-turn a profit clients. After over a decade worth of experience in video, he applied his expertise in motility and pattern and to web design and development. Prior to joining Belmont full-time in 2011, he started a company that immune artists to create websites, without the need to know all the inter-workings of spider web design. James continues to blueprint and build web applications that solve needs in the customs, educational institutions and design industry.

James'due south thesis for his MFA caste, entitled Natural User Interfaces in the Information Historic period, explored the history and changes in consumer-based reckoner interactions. He continues to inquiry graphic and natural user interfaces and consults local entrepreneurs creating mobile and web design products.

James is married to a graphic designer and has two small-scale dogs.
Stacey Bryan

Assistant to the Dean

B.S. Belmont University

Location: Leu Center for the Visual Arts 102
Jackie Tingle

Managing director of Community Education

Grand.A. Savannah College of Art and Blueprint, B.F.A University of Southern Mississippi

Location: Leu Heart for the Visual Arts 101

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Before joining Watkins, Tingle was the program coordinator at Poverty and the Arts (POVA), where she created an artistic professional development curriculum, managed artwork as well as merchandise inventory and sales, and tracked artists' progress within the program. Prior to her nonprofit work, she was a visual art instructor in local public schools. As a teacher, Tingle enjoyed the challenge of making connections betwixt the arts and bookish disciplines, all toward the goal of practical applications in our society. In addition to existence an art educator and historian, Tingle is an arts abet and practicing artist herself.
Katie Mitchell

Director of Galleries and Programming

M.F.A. University of South Carolina, B.F.A. Belmont University

Location: Leu Heart for the Visual Arts 100

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Joining the faculty in Fall of 2014, Katie Mitchell now serves the Watkins College of Art as Teacher and Manager of Galleries and Programming. She holds a BFA in Studio Art from Belmont University and an MFA in Painting and Sculpture from the University of S Carolina.

While written report and residency opportunities have led her to such places equally the Pacific Northwest, the Dutch Caribbean, and Italy, Mitchell was near recently selected equally a participant in the Contemporary Chinese Art Institute's summertime program. This immune her to travel to Beijing and Xi'an where she toured numerous fine art academies, visited museums, and worked direct with Chinese artists in the hopes of expanding their influence in the U.S.

Katie Mitchell lives in Franklin with her husband and 3 rambunctious dogs.
Elise Haines

Admissions Coordinator

B.F.A. Belmont University

Location: Leu Heart for the Visual Arts 100

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As a Belmont University Alumna, Elise Haines is excited to be dorsum at Belmont in the office of Admissions Coordinator. Elise graduated in 2018 with a BFA in Art Education through the Watkins College. After graduating, Elise became an Elementary Art Teacher for K-five in surrounding schools. Elise firmly believes in the importance of the arts in pedagogy and beyond. She advocates for pursuing a field that feeds your soul and makes the world more colorful. Every bit a practicing artist, Elise creates with painting, photography, and mixed media.

Elise Haines can exist found eating Mexican food, playing with her true cat, or traveling the globe in her spare time.
Paul Nestler

Program Assistant

B.A. Penn Country University

Location: Leu Center for the Visual Arts 100

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Before joining Belmont equally a Program Assistant, Paul worked a few jobs effectually Nashville including one at 5 Daughters Bakery. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Paul received his bachelor's degree in International Politics from Penn State University and worked as a Staff Assistant for the United states of america Senate based in Scranton, PA. Though his formal didactics and previous full-fourth dimension work focused on public service, he has been passionate about the arts his whole life. A musician kickoff, he played saxophone in marching ring throughout his instruction in improver to singing and playing guitar. He firmly believes that students should study and follow their passions, learning virtually subjects that bring them joy.

Paul can exist constitute performing effectually Nashville, drinking java and reading the news, or trying to observe the best cheesesteak in town.
Rachel Walden

Assistant Manager of Career and Professional Evolution

M. Ed. Belmont University, B.A. Hanover College

Location: Office of Career & Professional Development, Gabhart Student Center 218

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As a Nashville native, I absolutely love living in my hometown and working at Belmont! I am truly passionate about my piece of work in career development and detect enjoyment in assisting our students and alumni with identifying and pursuing their own passions. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career helping others, which is why I chose my undergraduate major of Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Afterward working in recruiting for a few years, I joined the Career Development team in 2010 and have spent the past x+ years providing career coaching services to students and alumni, cultivating employer relationships and managing marketing, communications and social media for our office. I previously served every bit President of the Tennessee Association of Colleges and Employers, our state professional clan. In my costless fourth dimension, I enjoy hiking with my family unit and German Shepherd, hosting friends for backyard gatherings, cooking, reading and traveling.