Dr. Katherine Buvoltz Named Associate Dean for Adult and Online Education at Houghton College

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Dr. Katherine Buvoltz, Director of Academics for P.A.C.E. (Program for Accelerating College Education) at Houghton College, has been named the Associate Dean for Adult and Online Education at Houghton College, effective March 1, 2010.  

A 1998 graduate of Houghton College’s P.A.C.E. program, Buvoltz will be responsible for the coordination of all existing initiatives relative to adult and online education. She will lead the planning and implementation of new strategies in both of these dynamic and growing fields of higher education while maintaining the mission and academic standards of the college. Primary functions will include the management of current P.A.C.E. programming (offered in Arcade, Dansville, Jamestown, Olean, West Seneca and Williamsville) while also researching possible ventures into accelerated associates and graduate offerings. Buvoltz will additionally spearhead the college’s foray into online education to include the selection of appropriate courses for online delivery at both the traditional summer school and P.A.C.E. program level.  

“Reaching out to the community and demonstrating the accessibility of both the Houghton College adult degree program and online educational opportunities is a priority,” states Buvoltz. “My role will include building credibility within the community that the core values of a Christian liberal arts institution can thrive in the medium of adult and online education.”  

Buvoltz received her bachelor’s degree in organizational management from the Houghton College P.A.C.E. program and a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University. She then attained her Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Regent University – a program that involved a combination of in-class and online learning. Her personal learning experiences and her direct knowledge and understanding of the Houghton College P.A.C.E. program position her for success in this newly-created position.  

“Katie fully understands the challenges that adult learners face in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, having undertaken the P.A.C.E. program herself. Additionally, she has directly benefited from online course learning at other educational institutions and can extend her knowledge to the benefit of Houghton College students,” remarked Ronald P. Mahurin, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of the College.  “She brings an immense amount of talent and knowledge to this position that will allow Houghton College new insight into adult education programming and online learning initiatives.”  

Since 1999, Buvoltz has served in various capacities at Houghton College including the Jamestown P.A.C.E. program coordinator, faculty member in the business and economics/communication departments, and the Director of Academics for the P.A.C.E. program. She is currently a member of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Commission for Accelerated Programs, and the International Society for Self-Directed Learning. Dr. Buvoltz is a graduate of Randolph Central School and resides in Randolph, NY.