College Launches Search for Vice President for Student Affairs
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Pennsylvania College of Technology will undertake a national search to fill the newly created position of vice president for student affairs.
The College's Board of Directors has approved an administration request to advertise and recruit for the new post, which replaces the position of dean of student affairs.
The vice president will be responsible for all aspects of student development, including activities that expand and improve upon student orientation, residential services, student activities and programming. The vice president will oversee the areas of financial aid; housing and residence life; health services; College police; athletics; career/academic support and counseling; and student activities.
"We have a well-established student-life program, and we are ready to take it to the next level of connectedness with academic affairs," said Penn College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour. "Our goal is to take a truly holistic look at all students residents, nonresidents, traditional and nontraditional. This new position allows us to consolidate all appropriate areas within the realm of student affairs."
Senior Vice President Dr. William J. Martin and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Veronica M. Muzic will co-chair the search committee. Committee members include J. Elliott Strickland Jr., interim dean of student affairs; David A. London, associate professor of speech communications/composition and former chairman of College Council; and Jessie R. Viani of Wellsville, president of the Student Government Association.
"By embarking upon a national search, we expect to find a proven leader with the skills and experience needed to enhance the already extensive level of services we offer to students," Dr. Gilmour said. "The person selected for this position must be prepared to implement an institutional perspective calling for a greater role for student affairs."
After an interim period of reporting to the senior vice president, the vice president for student affairs will report directly to the College president.
Strickland, formerly the College's director of student activities, will continue to serve as interim dean of student affairs while the search proceeds.