By Ashley Hall, Class of 2015
Vice President for Student Affairs Almeda R. Jacks announced a new organization plan for the Division of Student Affairs. The restructuring plan will provide more effective delivery of divisional resources to support Student Affairs priority areas and the university’s 2020Forward Plan.
These changes will also direct resources to support university-level initiatives on diversity and inclusion while maintaining focus on further development and implementation of the Student Affairs strategic plan to improve the campus climate for all members of the university community.
The reorganization plan consolidates central divisional services, reduces senior-level administration in Student Affairs and expands collaborative opportunities for student learning. There will be increased focus on fundraising to support student programs, services and facilities, as well as a continued focus on student wellness, care, advocacy and success. The new organization structure will also create a unit to focus on general student organization programming and advising.
“I do believe this new structure maximizes use of our financial resources in addition to the skillsets and professional interests of our staff in fulfilling our mission and purpose to develop and prepare students for success,” Jacks said.
A big piece of the transition is the relocation of the Gantt Center for Student Life, which will move from the division of Student Affairs to the office of the chief diversity officer. The move is aimed at strengthening Clemson’s commitment and focus to issues of diversity and inclusion.
Jacks also announced she has finalized appointments to the search committee for the vacant associate vice president/dean of students position with the goal of having the position filled by the end of the fall semester. Jacks will serve in this capacity until the position is filled.
A link to the new organization chart will be made available soon on the Student Affairs website. The following is an initial list of important changes resulting from the reorganization plan:
- George Smith is now associate vice president and chief of staff for Student Affairs. He formerly served as associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Campus Life.
- Rusty Guill is now special assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs. He formerly served as associate dean of students.
- Johnson Link is now associate vice president for Municipal Services. He formerly served as associate vice president for Student Affairs/executive director of Campus Safety and chief of police.
- Eric Hendricks is the new Clemson University chief of police. He formerly served as major of operations in the Clemson University Police Department.
- Doug Hallenbeck is now senior associate vice president for Student Affairs. He formerly served as associate vice president for Student Affairs and executive director of Housing & Dining.
- Kathy Hobgood is now assistant vice president and executive director of Housing & Dining. She formerly served as director of Residential Life.
- Mandy Hays is now assistant vice president for Campus Activities and Events. She formerly served as director of Campus Activities and Events.
- Josh Barnes is now director of Student Activities. He formerly served as senior associate director for Student Advising and Programming.
- Steve Robbins is now executive director of TigerOne, which includes card access and systems operations. He formerly served as associate vice president for Student Affairs and Business Operations.
- Kimberly Poole is now associate dean of Students for Care and Advocacy. She formerly served as assistant dean of students.
