Dean finalist speaks on family, work

Lori Reesor, the third finalist for the dean of students and vice provost for student affairs position, said Monday that Bloomington feels similar to her current school, the University of Kansas.

IU has the “it” factor, she said.

Reesor, who serves as KU’s associate vice provost for student success, introduced herself to audience members as they entered the Whittenberger Auditorium at the Indiana Memorial Union.

She opened the forum with a brief description of her personal background, saying she grew up in the Midwest as the oldest of six children. She also introduced her husband and mentioned her two young children, saying their ages made it flexible for her to move and try for the position at IU.

“At times there are opportunities that come up, and people have to look at those
opportunities,” Reesor said. “I think this is one of those opportunities.”

When the time came for Reesor to answer questions, the audience covered topics such as being a student advocate, working with minority students on a predominantly white campus and greek life, a common subject at each of the three dean candidates’ open forums.

Reesor said she worked with greek communities as the dean of students at Wichita State University and KU, and she received an award for her work at Wichita State.

“I’ve tried to be a strong advocate of our greek students,” Reesor said.

Another topic that came up at the forum was how Reesor balances life with young children and a job as an administrator at a large university.

Reesor said her family is her “most important thing” and it gives her “purpose and perspective,” but she does not let her family interrupt her work duties.

“I try to concentrate on work when I’m at work and try to be with my family when I’m with my family,” Reesor said.

After the audience asked Reesor questions, she took the last ten minutes to ask her own, such as what students were looking for in a dean of students and why “she should want to be a Hoosier.”

People responded by emphasizing IU’s traditions, renowned programs and IU’s “it” factor.

Laura Whitney, a staff member in the Student Activities Office, said she appreciated Reesor noting students’ opinions are valued.

“She did a great job at explaining her stance,” Whitney said.

Graduate student R.J. Woodring, who attended all of the forums so far, said he was impressed by Reesor’s range of experience.

“The experiences she had at KU would transition nicely to IU,” Woodring said after the discussion. “I think she’d be great, and IU would be fortunate to have her.”

The next open forum for the final candidate, Geneva Walker-Johnson, will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the IU Maurer School of Law 123.