Howard Payne University recently announced Dr. Celeste Church, associate professor of music, has been appointed dean of institutional research and effectiveness, a newly created role at the university.

In her new position, Dr. Church will serve on the Deans’ Council and teach a reduced academic load in the music department.

“Elevating institutional research and effectiveness to the level of a dean’s appointment speaks to the university’s commitment to collecting and understanding data that will drive substantive conversations at an institution-wide level about retention, enrollment and the university’s ongoing improvement of its programs and services,” said Dr. Mark Tew, HPU provost and chief academic officer.

Dr. Church joined HPU in 2004 and holds the Master of Church Music degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Texas Tech University. Her husband, Dr. Gregory Church, serves as associate professor of music at HPU.