Ezell Briley to lead community engagement efforts in College of Leadership & Public Service
Kim Chaudoin |
When Virginia Ezell Briley (’14, ’18) reflects on her journey, she sees a path shaped by service, advocacy and a deep commitment to education. Now, as she steps into her new role as director of community and partnership outreach and assistant professor of public and nonprofit management in Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership & Public Service, she is returning to the very place that first sparked her passion for making a difference.
Ezell Briley’s career has spanned multiple sectors — education, policy advocacy, nonprofit leadership and higher education. Most recently, she served as the external engagement and creative strategist for the Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life and Faith at Belmont University, where she played a key role in securing a $32 million Lilly Endowment grant. But through all of her professional experiences, one thing remained constant: a desire to create meaningful connections and foster positive change.
“Building connections and relationships brings me such joy. I am looking forward to creating new connections and partnerships, and strengthening existing relationships and fostering the reach of our college and university,” she said. “I am thrilled to be joining this team, it is a remarkable group. I am also honored to return to a place that has meant so much to me and to now have the opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders.”
A Lipscomb legacy
Ezell Briley’s connection to Lipscomb runs deep. She is a graduate of Lipscomb Academy and has a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in political science and a Master of Education in instructional practice from the university. As an undergraduate student, she was actively involved in the Student Government Association, where she honed her leadership skills, and participated in mission trips to Brisbane, Australia, and Honduras — experiences that ignited her passion for global service. She also took advantage of the semester-long study abroad program in Vienna, Austria, broadening her worldview and reinforcing her interest in history and political science.
“My time at Lipscomb was instrumental in shaping who I am today,” said Ezell Briley. “It was a season of discovery, of learning my strengths and values, as well as the many ways in which I needed to grow, too.”
“My life has been deeply impacted by Lipscomb,” she continued. “It impacted me most through the people, those who were the most authentic, compassionate and kind made the greatest difference. I hope I can continue that to this next generation, especially as this community continues to grow and evolve.”
Among those who left a lasting impression she said were faculty members in the department of history, politics and philosophy, particularly Tim Johnson, Howard Miller, Marc Schwerdt, Craig Bledsoe and Richard Goode. In addition, Ezell Briley said Rob Touchstone, director of Lipscomb’s Center for Vocational Discovery, was particularly impactful. She said it is particularly meaningful to be back at Lipscomb and now collaborating with him on several special projects.
Expanding community engagement
In her new role, Ezell Briley will focus on expanding and strengthening partnerships between the College of Leadership & Public Service and the broader community. She will work with nonprofit organizations, government entities and businesses to create opportunities for student engagement and applied learning.
“This college is the place where Tennessee turns for leadership and it is uniquely positioned to train service-minded leaders of integrity,” said Ezell Briley. “I have always enjoyed studying great leaders in history, and I think training up the next generation of good leaders is more important now than ever. The more time I spend in this space the more I realize that good leadership is all about collaboration and working to make change with advocacy and policy. Those are things I really feel passionately about.”
Dean Steve Joiner looks forward to the impact Briley will have in the college.
“Virginia’s background in nonprofit leadership and policy advocacy makes her an invaluable addition to our team,” said Joiner. “She has a strong network in Nashville’s public service community, and her expertise will be instrumental in elevating our partnerships and providing students with real-world experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers.”
In addition to her leadership role, Ezell Briley will return to the classroom, teaching nonprofit management in the Master of Public Administration program and civic engagement courses in the Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice & Society.
“I have truly missed teaching,” she said. “There’s something incredibly rewarding about working with students, helping them see their potential, and equipping them with the tools they need to make an impact.”
For more information about Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public Service, visit, www.lipscomb.edu/leadership.