A search committee of faculty, staff and students narrowed the pool to three finalists for the IU Dean of Students position.
The three finalists, Teri Hall, Beth Hellwig and Lori Reesor, all have decades of experience in student affairs. After being selected, they scheduled times to visit campus for question-and-answer forums open to the public.
Hall and Hellwig had their forums on campus in the past week, and Reesor will present at 4:30 p.m. today in the Whittenberger Auditorium.
“I am chairing the search committee but can’t really discuss the candidates while the search is ongoing,” Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Dennis Groth said.
The dean of students is responsible for leading the Division of Student Affairs, which advocates for the success of all students on campus. The division has 13 departments and over 150 services, dealing with sexual misconduct, health and gender affairs.
IU Student Association Chief of Staff Sara Zaheer said she lobbied hard to obtain a position on the search committee for the next dean of students who will replace Harold “Pete” Goldsmith. Goldsmith will retire June 30.
Zaheer said students want to see candidates who are excited to work with them and continue the culture of change that is prevalent on campus today.
“We want to see a candidate that will push for changes in sexual assault policy, athletics, greek life and other areas of student policy,” Zaheer said.
Hall is currently the associate vice president of campus life at Towson University in Maryland. She also serves as assistant vice president of student diversity, as well as student involvement and transitions.
Before her administrative work at Towson, she was coordinator of the Master’s Program in Higher Education and Student Affairs at IU. Her ties to Indiana go back even further, as she received her doctorate in higher education administration from the University.
Hall managed budgets exceeding $10 million at Towson and created the Campus Life unit, as well as several services and leadership opportunities for incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Hellwig is vice chancellor of student affairs at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Previously, she was dean of student services at Gonzaga University and director of student life at University of Northern Colorado.
At University of Northern Colorado, Hellwig received her doctorate in college student personnel administration.
Hellwig initiated a strategic planning process for the Student Affairs Division at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She also served on several committees, from the Sexual Assault and Response group to the Comprehensive Leadership Program.
Reesor, who is presenting today in the Indiana Memorial Union, is vice president of student affairs at University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She was previously associate vice provost for student success at University of Kansas.
In addition to two certificates from Harvard University, Reesor has her doctorate in educational policy and leadership from University of Kansas.
The University of North Dakota reached record enrollment rates during Reesor’s time in the administration.ww The retention rates and diversity and inclusion efforts increased, in addition to several on-campus renovations and the creation of new student services units.
Zaheer said several students reacted positively to the open forums on campus, which gave attendees insight on what each of the finalists might bring to IU if they are selected as dean of students.
“We’re tasked with representing over 48,000 students in this search,” Zaheer said. “We’re closer to finding someone who will find a home at IU.”
