Division of Student Affairs reorganization

The departure of Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students April Thompson and Executive Director of Student Services Marty Wygmans has required a reorganization of responsibilities within the Division of Student Affairs and Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose has established an interim organization for the 2018-19 academic year.

“We are fortunate to have staff already in place who are prepared to take on additional duties and I’m pleased to be able to give several deserving staff members new leadership opportunities,” said Rose. “Over the course of the fall semester, we will evaluate the Residential Life and Dean of Students areas in particular and identify staffing gaps in those organizations. In the spring term, we will search to fill the positions identified through that evaluation.”

Following Thompson’s departure, Randall Edouard, assistant vice president for student affairs, will serve as interim dean of students. Edouard will supervise the areas of Campus Activities, Fraternity and Sorority Life, New Student Programs, Parent and Family Programs, TRIO Programs, Veterans Services and will also continue to supervise Off Campus Programs and services and lead the Town-Gown Advisory Board. 

•  Johann Fiore-Conte, assistant vice president for health and wellness, will take on oversight of Case Management Services and the Office of Student Conduct.
•  Kelli Smith, assistant vice president for career programs and experiential education, will supervise the Discovery Program, the office of Student Affairs Assessment and Strategic Initiatives, Transfer Student Services and leadership programs including Emerging Leaders, the Public Speaking Lab and First Year Experience courses.

Additional organizational changes include:

•  Suzanne Howell, associate dean of students, will continue to lead the University Union and Conference and Events Services, and oversee the housing and Union budgets. In addition, she will provide overall leadership for capital projects within the Division of Student Affairs as part of the auxiliary services area directed by Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Administration and Auxiliary Services Cornelia Mead.
•  Paola Mignone has been appointed interim director of Residential Life. “When April announced her departure, she had been in the middle of a search for a new director of Residential Life who would have reported directly to her. With her unexpected resignation, I’ve decided to appoint an interim director from within and will supervise Paola myself while we evaluate how best to staff the organization this fall,” said Rose.
•  Karima Legette has been named interim director of the Educational Opportunity Program with the previously announced departure of Calvin Gantt. A search for a new EOP director will begin at the start of the fall semester.
•  Steve Rebello will assume overall responsibility for the TRIO programs within Student Affairs with Wygmans’ departure.

“I’m very confident in all of the staff taking on additional duties and I look forward to robust discussions with staff and students about the future goals and leadership needs within Residential Life and the Dean of Students Office,” Rose said.