What is your name and current title with the University of Montevallo?
Jenny Bell, director of student life.
Where are you from and what city do you currently reside in?
I’m from Ruston, Louisiana and now reside in Hoover, Alabama.
If you hold any degrees, what are they in and from what schools?
A B.A. in Communication Studies from Louisiana Tech University and an M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Services from the University of Southern Mississippi.
How long have you worked here?
This is my 14th academic year here. I started in June 2010.
Did you hold any previous positions here? If so, what are they?
In my first year here, I was coordinator of student life.
What brought you to Montevallo?
We moved to the Birmingham area for my husband’s job. When it was time to decide whether or not to stay in Alabama, Montevallo was a huge part of our decision to stay.
What’s the best thing about working for Montevallo?
The best thing about working for Montevallo is the people, no question. Both my colleagues on campus and our amazing students are what makes the University of Montevallo so special. I have never worked anywhere else that is this accepting and supportive of everyone.
Do you have any interesting stories about one of your favorite experiences here?
One of my favorite things each year is watching our different groups of student leaders form bonds and friendships with each other. I love to see them go from a group of strangers to a group of friends who share their own stories.
Probably the most interesting thing that has happened to me in my time working here was being rescued and brought back to campus by a colleague during Snowpocalypse 2014, staying in Ramsay Hall for four days with other stranded colleagues and borrowing clothes from one of our very kind sororities.
What’s your proudest accomplishment since being at UM?
I always love to reflect on how much a student has grown as a leader from the time they started as a freshman or sophomore to the time they graduate. I like knowing that maybe I had a small part in their leadership development and what they learned in their time at UM.
Why do you belong at Montevallo?
Montevallo feels like home to me. I love that people truly know each other here and care about each other. I think that everyone can belong at Montevallo. It’s truly a place where you can feel at home whether you are coming here as a student or as part of the faculty and staff.
Anything else you want to say?
Go Falcons, and get involved on campus! It’s the absolute best decision you can make.
