Averett University announced on Friday that University President Rev. Dr. David Joyce has stepped down as the 15th president.  The departure stims from family medical issues. Dr. Joyce was only three months into his tenure leading the Cougars.

In a release from on the Averett’s website Dr. Joyce shared more detail about his impending departure saying,  “It is with a heavy heart I share that my wife, Lynne, has experienced a serious medical diagnosis that will require our full-time attention. Lynne and I regret we will be unable to walk alongside Averett students as they succeed inside and outside of the classroom and will greatly miss the many dear colleagues, community members and friends we’ve made here, but will continue to support and cheer for this great institution as it moves forward.”

Current Averett Vice President for Student Engagement Dr. Venita Mitchell will serve as acting president as the Averett Board of Trustees continues an expedited search for the university’s next president. Dr. Mitchell came to Averett in July 2021 with more than three decades of experience in higher education administration, most recently serving as vice president and dean of student life for 18 years at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. She earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri and both a Master of Science in recreation, parks and tourism and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Averett University Board of Trustees has already begun a national search by securing Academic Search a higher education executive search firm to find a permanent leader.