IRSC Names Dr. Heather Belmont Vice President of Academic Affairs

June 27, 2018 Robert Lane

Indian River State College (IRSC) has named Dr. Heather J. Belmont its new Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Belmont will lead the College’s efforts in the areas of liberal arts, mathematics and natural sciences, education, library services, curriculum, professional development for faculty, and more. She also serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Dr. Belmont comes to IRSC from Miami Dade College (MDC) where, during past 13 years, she served in numerous leadership capacities as both a faculty member and administrator. Since 2011 Belmont has led as the Dean of the School of Science, overseeing a vast array of programs at all seven MDC campuses. Initiatives spearheaded by Belmont include: in-house advisors in STEM programs, enhanced active-learning curricula in the classrooms, course-embedded research, and advanced research programs. Additionally, Belmont was instrumental in the significant increase in the college’s internship opportunities and applied learning experiences. She also has experience with success with grant development — managing a portfolio of over $10 million in federal awards from agencies including the U.S. Dept. of Education and the National Science Foundation.

“Dr. Belmont has an excellent record of collaborative leadership, working across disciplines with fellow administrators and faculty to provide a comprehensive support network for students,” shares Dr. Edwin Massey, IRSC President. Continuing he states, “In her administration and faculty chair roles with MDC, Dr. Belmont built partnerships, connecting the private sector and business community with academia in multiple, innovative ways, and we look forward how she will expand on her accomplishments at IRSC.”

Prior to her time with Miami Dade College, Belmont served as a researcher and scientist with multiple firms in south Florida’s expanding bio-tech industry. She earned her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, in Psychology and Neuroscience from Ithaca College in 1994, and her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience from the University of Miami in 2001. Additionally, Belmont is a published author in journals ranging from PLOS ONE to the Journal of Applied Psychology and has two U.S. Patent applications.