Riverland Community College has named J.C. Turner as the new interim dean of liberal arts and sciences.

Turner brings a strong background in media and electronic communications and multimedia technologies. J.C. has a bachelor’s degree in speech from Iowa State University as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as an associate dean at St. Cloud State University from 2000 to 2009, in addition to bringing 15 years of strong classroom teaching experience from the University of Northern Iowa as an assistant/associate professor, and as an instructor at the University of Texas at Austin. His creative credentials include work as executive producer, director, editor, videographer, multimedia author, designer and sound effects artist. Turner has delivered a number of presentations, publications and externally funded grant projects.

Turner’s main office will be at the Austin campus, but he will work closely with all faculty and staff at all three campus locations including Albert Lea and Owatonna.

“We are excited to have J.C. as part of our academic team,” said Mary Davenport, interim vice president of academic and student affairs. “J.C.’s experience in teaching is important to growing strong faculty, while his experience within the four-year college environment will bring opportunities to enhance collaboration with our university partners. Building upon our current university partnerships will allow Riverland Community College students enhanced options for seamless transfer and additional possibilities for baccalaureate degree completion.”

Turner was hired by Riverland in October 2012 as the director of instructional technology and intellectual property. He continues these duties until June 30 and then will assume the interim dean position once Dean Jan Waller retires.