Caterina Bristol is the new Interim Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts after the retirement of the college’s founding dean, Tommie H. Stewart, Ph.D. on May 31.  She accepted the position to help continue the initiatives that the college began under Stewart’s leadership and to provide a stable transition as the college prepares for an accreditation visit from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and for the university’s visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Comission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Bristol was the former Associate Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts for eight years. She also shared her time assisting in Academic Affairs.

Bristol completed her eighth year as Associate Dean in 2018-2019 after serving the previous four years as Interim Chair of the Department of Music which she calls, “a natural progression in my work at that time.”

She is an Ohio native and the daughter of two professional librarians. Outside of her duties an interim dean, Bristol is a professional musician. She has performed or presented at many professional conferences and venues including the College Music Society National and International Conferences, the International Double Reed Society, and many orchestras and chamber music events throughout the Southeast.

Bristol is currently a board member and regional chairwoman for the National Association of Schools of Music and also serves as an accreditation evaluator for the organization.

“No changes are planned at this time. The college is working to continue to develop several initiatives that began under Stewart’s leadership including therapeutic arts and digital media coursework,” Bristol said.

Her goal as the interim dean are, “To keep our college moving forward. We have a very successful college and I think it’s very important that we maintain that.”

Bristol wants the students of the College of Visual and Performing Arts “to believe they are capable of artistic and academic excellence.”