Following the recent departure of Sonia Rucker, former Vice President for Equity, Access and Behavioral Health and Dean of Students, the University has assessed the division responsibilities and will be moving forward with two organizational structure changes at this time.
Effective Dec. 1, 2021, the Dean of Students position will report to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success and be responsible for fostering outcomes driven efforts in student development that support student well-being, persistence and degree completion. The Dean of Students will supervise the Center for Behavioral Health and Accessibility, the Office of Student Conduct and the LGBTQ Resource Center. An internal search for a Dean of Students opened last Friday, Nov. 12. Employees in the Division of Equity, Access and Behavioral Health who meet the minimum qualifications are eligible to apply and have received position information from Human Resources. 
Trent Ball, Associate Vice President for Equity and Access, is temporarily overseeing the Dean of Students function through the end of this month. Beginning Dec. 1, Dr. Debbie Below will perform the function of Dean of Students, until a new dean is appointed. It is anticipated that a new Dean of Students will be named in early December. 
In addition and effective Dec. 1, 2021, Mr. Ball will become an Associate Provost in academic affairs reporting directly to the Provost. Learning Assistance Programs and TRIO Programs will continue to report to Ball with this reporting line change. The University will begin a national search in early spring 2022 for an institutional leadership role overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion.
Top photo caption: Trent Ball
Bottom photo caption: Dr. Debbie Below