Belle Wheelan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belle Wheelan
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|---|---|
| 11th Virginia Secretary of Education | |
| In office January 14, 2002 – July 22, 2005 |
|
| Governor | Mark Warner |
| Preceded by | Cheri Yecke |
| Succeeded by | Peter A. Blake |
| 3rd President of Northern Virginia Community College | |
| In office July 1998 – January 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Richard J. Ernst |
| Succeeded by | Robert G. Templin, Jr. |
| 5th President of Central Virginia Community College | |
| In office January 1, 1992 – July 1998 |
|
| Preceded by | Johnnie E. Merritt |
| Succeeded by | Darrel Staat |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Belle Louise Smith
October 10, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Spouses | Elliott Leslie Wheelan, Jr. |
| Alma mater | Trinity University Louisiana State University University of Texas at Austin |
| Signature |  |
Belle Smith Wheelan, born on October 10, 1951, is an important American educator. She has spent her career helping students and schools. She once worked for the state government in Virginia. Today, she leads a big organization that checks on colleges.
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Who is Belle Smith Wheelan?
Belle Smith Wheelan is a leader in education. She was born in Chicago, Illinois. From a young age, she showed a strong interest in learning. She went to several universities. These included Trinity University (Texas), Louisiana State University, and the University of Texas at Austin. These schools helped her prepare for a career in education.
Helping Students and Schools
Belle Smith Wheelan has held many important jobs. She worked to make education better for everyone. She believes that good education can change lives. Her work has helped many students succeed. She has always focused on improving learning environments.
Leading Colleges
Before working for the state, Belle Smith Wheelan was a college president. She was the president of two different community colleges in Virginia. A community college offers courses for people who want to learn new skills. It also helps students prepare for a four-year university.
- From 1992 to 1998, she led Central Virginia Community College.
- From 1998 to 2002, she was the president of Northern Virginia Community College.
In these roles, she made sure students got a great education. She helped these colleges grow and serve their communities.
Working for the State
From 2002 to 2005, Belle Smith Wheelan had a very important job. She was the Virginia Secretary of Education. This means she was in charge of all public education in Virginia. She worked with Governor Mark Warner. Her job was to make sure schools across the state were doing well. She helped set rules and plans for schools. This role allowed her to impact many students and teachers.
Her Current Role: Checking on Colleges
Today, Belle Smith Wheelan has another big job. She is the President and CEO of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges. This organization is often called SACSCOC. Its main job is to make sure colleges and universities are doing a good job. They check if schools meet high standards. This helps students know they are getting a quality education.
Belle Smith Wheelan's work at SACSCOC is very important. She helps make sure that colleges are fair and effective. She works to keep education strong in many states. Her leadership helps students get the best possible learning experience.
Images for kids
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Belle Smith Wheelan's signature.
