Coaching Toward Calling: Jane Bell Brings a Coach’s Heart to the GU Business School
Published: November 18, 2025
Author: Liz Dowell
She said, “Yes!” Jane Bell has assumed the role of interim chair for the Briner School of Business.
Bell brings more than 25 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and advising to her new role. Her appointment reflects not only her tenure but also her calling—a lifelong commitment to guiding others toward growth.
“When Vice President of Academic Affairs Jeannie Trudel asked me to consider this job, I think she felt that my longevity and coaching background would help bring some continuity to the department.”
Bell is no stranger to leadership. A former collegiate volleyball coach turned business professor, she approaches every season of her career with the same mindset: serve the team well.
"My teaching style has always been coaching," she said. "Whether I'm helping students, new faculty, or my children, I want to support, challenge, and cheer people forward.”
FROM COURTSIDE TO CLASSROOM
Bell’s path to Greenville University started with a whistle, not a syllabus. She began her career as the head volleyball coach at the University of Virginia, eventually stepping back from college athletics to raise her four children. Along the way, she coached high school boys' track and girls' volleyball.
That rhythm of training, investing, and encouraging followed her into higher education.
“I started teaching as an adjunct at Kaskaskia College in 2001, joined the GU faculty as an adjunct in 2008, and moved to a full-time professor in 2014,” she said.
Bell’s leadership style remains rooted in presence and relationships. She still teaches, advises, and requires each of her students to visit her office during the semester—just to talk.
“You can’t lead people well unless you know them,” she said. “I want to know what they’re going through, what they’re excited about, how I can support them.”
A CULTURE OF COACHING
As interim chair, Bell hopes to build a culture where faculty love students well—and love each other well, too.
“We have two amazing new faculty members: Matt McSparin and Matthew Wilson. They join Keelie Snow, me, and a strong team of adjunct professors, she said with pride. “My goal is to give them coaching tips and encouragement, and create a team environment where we help each other thrive.”
Her philosophy is shaped by faith as much as experience.
“Jesus said that the two greatest commands are to love God and love others,” she said. “That’s the foundation for how I teach, how I lead, and how I mentor.”
She doesn’t pretend the new role is easy. There are budgets to balance, hiring decisions to make, and curriculum to review.
“God doesn’t always call us to easy things,” she admitted. “But I’m here to serve. I’m learning as I go.”
LOOKING AHEAD
When asked what excites her most about the future of the Briner School, Bell’s answer comes quickly: the students.
“I teach a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” she said. “Watching them grow, discover their gifts, and overcome their fears are among the most rewarding parts of this job.”
She recalls a student who once laughed nervously through every presentation, only to become one of the top ticket sales reps for the St. Louis Cardinals after graduation.
“That’s what GU is,” she said. “A place where students can fail a paper, fix it, and come out stronger. Where they can try, stumble, and still be loved. Where students grow into the purpose the Lord has for them.”
As Greenville University continues to shape students for lives of character, service, and innovation, Jane Bell is quietly doing what she’s always done best: coaching the next generation forward. Now she hopes to continue building a culture that enables all Briner faculty to thrive and fulfill their mission as well.
“This is a place where you learn, where you’re challenged, and where you're loved – students and faculty and staff,” she said. “I’m just grateful to be in the game.”
