MORGANTOWN — As WVU kicks off a new academic year, the Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Life are reorganizing their leadership structures to better serve faculty and students.
Highlighting the reorganizations are an increased focus on student retention and success in the provost’s office and creation of a new office within Student Life to oversee the University’s commitment to youth development.
“We are seeing our student body both growing in size and becoming increasingly talented, while our faculty members continue to win awards for their research, teaching and service within the community, nationally and even internationally,” Provost Joyce McConnell said. “Our goal is to serve our exceptional faculty and students by providing the very best, most effective academic enterprise. With this new structure, we are perfectly positioned to do that.”
Dean of Students Corey Farris said, “It is our responsibility to provide the best student experience possible outside the classroom, and with 20 separate units comprising Student Life, it’s become increasingly difficult to make sure everyone is working as a cohesive team. This reorganization creates a more cohesive structure, better aligning offices that do complementary and similar tasks.”
Provost Office
Vice Provost John Campbell will continue to oversee a diverse portfolio of initiatives in the Office of the Provost. In addition, Campbell, who has a national reputation for developing responsive, innovative digital interventions in the college classroom, will lead an expanded team focused on student retention and success.
“John has won pretty much every national award possible for his visionary retention initiatives,” McConnell said. “We owe it to our students to give him the opportunity to truly concentrate his time and talents in this area. I am absolutely confident that John and his team will develop strategies that suit our unique student body and help them graduate and achieve their goals.”
Paul Kreider, currently associate provost for undergraduate affairs, moves to a new position as vice provost for academic strategies, curriculum and assessment. The associate provost position will not be filled for the time being.
Additionally, Mark Gavin will move into a vacant position in the Office of the Provost as associate provost for budget, facilities and strategic initiatives, effective Sept. 1. Gavin currently serves as associate dean for graduate programs, research and executive education in the College of Business and Economics and is a nationally-respected expert in management.
One office will be moving from Student Life to the Provost. The Office of Veterans’ Affairs, which has historically been housed in Student Life, will move to the Provost’s office consistent with the University’s commitment to providing student veterans the very best educational opportunities for their unique situation
Student Life
Greg Corio, currently director of student recreation and outdoor recreation, will oversee the new Youth Development Initiative office. “Greg has made great strides in building WVU’s relationship with the Boy Scouts of America in recent years,” Farris said. “This new role will allow him to focus more on this effort, as well as on critical partnerships with 4-H and other youth development organizations.
Nathan Harlan, director of Adventure WV, will serve as executive director of a new Student Wellness office, which will include Campus Recreation, the Collegiate Recovery Program, Wellness Promotions and Adventure WV.
Other changes include:
- Michael Ellington will oversee Student Life’s Mountainlair team. Farris noted there are several enhancements under way at the Mountainlair with many more planned. Ellington will focus on bringing these enhancements to life.
- Chris MacDonald will continue to oversee Student Life’s housing function, continuing to support University efforts to enhance students; college experience by providing safe and study-friendly environments across our residence halls, apartments and living-learning communities.
- Patricia (Trish) Cendana will oversee Student Life’s new Student Services team, which will comprise Service Learning and Student Conduct and Residence Life.
- Sabrina Cave will join Student Life from University Relations and oversee the new Office of Student Participation focusing on student engagement initiatives across Student Life and will include the Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Center for Black Culture and Research, Student Engagement and Leadership and Student Media.
All changes in both divisions will be effective immediately or soon.
