Elise Haines

Biography

As a Belmont University alumna, Elise Haines is proud to serve as Director of Community Engagement for Watkins College of Art. She earned her B.F.A. in Art Education in 2018 and completed her M.S. in Strategic Communication and Leadership in 2025, where she focused on marketing, digital engagement, and emerging technologies.

Elise began her career as an elementary art teacher (K–5) in the greater Nashville area, grounding her work in a deep belief in the transformative power of arts education. She later returned to Belmont to serve on the admissions team for the College of Art, where she supported prospective and current students while strengthening recruitment and engagement initiatives.

In addition to her current role, Elise teaches a Branding and Social Media course designed specifically for visual creatives, equipping them with the tools and strategy needed to grow and sustain their digital presence.

Elise is deeply committed to furthering the arts and creating accessible, welcoming opportunities for the Nashville community. She believes community education plays a vital role in nurturing creativity at every stage of life and is honored to support programs that foster connection, growth, and artistic exploration. As a practicing creative, she continues to work in painting, photography, and mixed media.