Emmanuel Appoints Coleman, Miller as Vice Presidents

Emmanuel College is pleased to announce the appointment of two new vice presidents: Dr. Janet Coleman, Vice President for Academics, and Mr. Mandrake Miller, Vice President for Student Development. They will serve on the senior leadership team of the college, reporting to the president. Dr. Coleman will provide oversight of all academic functions of the college, and Mr. Miller will oversee all student development offices and personnel.

These appointments came as a result of the retirements of Dr. John Henzel and Dr. Tracy Reynolds. Dr. Henzel has served with distinction as the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the past eleven years, and in the fall, he is choosing to return to the classroom as professor of business. He served in this role prior to becoming vice president and is looking forward to being back in the classroom full-time. Dr. Reynolds retired from Emmanuel after more than 20 years of exemplary service in various positions including Campus Pastor, Professor, Dean, and Vice President for Student Development. He will continue to serve as an adjunct professor. Both of these men have been outstanding leaders throughout their tenures. 

We are grateful to have such highly qualified educators as Dr. Coleman and Mr. Miller to accept the challenges of these positions. We anticipate a seamless transition as we look forward to the 2021-22 academic year. 

Dr. Janet Coleman

Dr. Coleman has over 25 years of experience in education, having served as teacher, principal, program chair, and dean. Most recently, she served as Dean of the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute, Indiana. Previously, she was Dean of the College of Education at Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Toledo. 

Dr. Coleman is a proven leader with vast experience in teaching, curriculum development, and administration. At ISU, she led three distinct departments offering undergraduate and graduate programs in teacher education, educational leadership, and the allied professions. She has led accreditation and strategic planning initiatives as well as created strategic domestic and international partnerships. At Indiana State, she reorganized student services in the college of education to improve student advising which resulted in the highest retention and completion percentages among the colleges of the university. In addition, she provided oversight of the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute, the Early Childhood Education Center, the Blumberg Center (provider of special education services to the state of Indiana), and the Grosjean Clinic (provider of public services in speech-language pathology, clinical mental health counseling, and school psychology assessment).

Dr. Coleman stated, “At this stage of my career, I am looking for a place to make a real and positive difference in the lives of faculty, staff, and students. I understand the many challenges facing education today in a culture that increasingly resists the Christian message. But these challenges provide us with opportunities to lean in to Jesus and do things not in the usual way but His way.”

Mr. Mandrake Miller

Mr. Miller has a 20-year career in student development in higher education. He has experience in residence life, housing, student conduct, Title IX, admissions, and retention. Most recently, he served as Vice President for Student Success and Engagement at Edward Waters College (EWC) in Jacksonville, Florida. Previously, he was Dean of Students at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. He holds an M.S. in leadership from Grand Canyon University and is completing an Ed.D. in organizational leadership, also from Grand Canyon.

Mr. Miller has an accomplished record of performance in student development initiatives within a Christian college environment. He has administered a comprehensive range of student-centered programs and services that promoted overall academic achievement and personal development of undergraduate students. In addition, he provided oversight of the renovation and expansion of two major facilities at EWC: Richardson Hall, the largest residence facility at EWC, and the Student Union. He created Christian Campus IMPACT, an organization focused on providing spiritual guidance for students. He has planned and implemented first- and second-year experience programs designed to assist freshmen and sophomore students in ways that promote engagement, persistence, and progress toward a college degree

Mr. Miller commented, “As an ordained minister, educator, and executive administrator, it is my belief that the purpose of the academy is to prepare students to think critically, to find solutions, and to be contributing citizens. As such, it is our responsibility as educators to help young women and men learn to successfully navigate the series of transformations they will experience as college students. I understand that my purpose in life is to impact lives for God’s glory.”

Emmanuel College welcomes these capable administrators to our college family. “I’m so pleased we have been able to find and appoint two exceptional people to critical positions of leadership on our campus,” stated Dr. Ron White, president of Emmanuel. “Dr. Coleman and Mr. Miller are outstanding additions to our team and personify our mission to be a community of Christ-centered higher learning that integrates faith, learning, and living within a biblical worldview and fosters spiritual, intellectual, and professional growth.”