After beating out more than 100 applicants, La Veda Howell was appointed as the new executive director of human resources and will begin work at Butler University, Dec. 17.
Howell was one of three finalists.
“La Veda just displayed some wonderful leadership characteristics,” said Bill O’Donnell, College of Business graduate program director.
O’Donnell said Howell is perfectly capable of standing up to educate, explain and help people understand why human resources makes certain decisions.
“I think after a short period of time, very few people on this campus will have any doubts as to what HR can do for them as far as a resource,” O’Donnell said.
Howell’s duties will include managing compliance and government work, compensation and benefits, and helping the vice presidents and deans hire the faculty.
Bruce Arick, vice president of finance and administration, said he saw strength in Howell’s interactive skills.
“Human resources is one of those areas where you need to be able to interact with folks,” Arick said. “Not just lead, but interact.”
Howell spent 12 years in the private sector, working for Brightpoint Inc. in many different director positions. She also worked for a year and a half at Ivy Tech as executive director of human resources.
Arick said he hopes Howell can bring her for-profit background and experience at Ivy Tech to Butler’s human resources.
Howell said she is most excited about finding ways to create new opportunities.
Howell also said she’s focused on acting as chief diversity officer in her new role.
“That diversity would be that area I am most excited to come to Butler and be a part of because my background is heavily entrenched in that area of diversity,” Howell said.
Howell chose Butler because of the university’s values.
“I choose Butler from the perspective of looking at what Butler stands for,” Howell said. “Their mission, their vision and their values line up with mine, and you can’t say that for every institution.”
Howell said she already has goals planned for when she arrives.
She said she hopes to build relationships and to incorporate the strategic vision in the human resources department.