Organizational structure, leadership posts announced for Student Affairs

The university’s vision for student success continues to take shape, with Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor announcing an organizational structure and key leadership posts for the areas reporting to her.

Under the new structure, the units will be centered around four themes, each led by an associate vice chancellor.

“By structuring our new organization around themes, we are able to increase opportunities for collaboration and develop more comprehensive strategies for helping our students thrive,” Reesor says.

The themes and their leadership:

Health and Wellbeing

This area of Student Affairs will be led by Jake Baggott, who will continue as executive director of University Health Services while taking on the additional role of an associate vice chancellor for student affairs. He will oversee University Health Services and Recreational Sports.

Mick Miyamoto, currently the interim associate dean of students, will report to Baggott as the Interim Director of Recreational Sports starting on July 22^nd. A national search for a permanent Recreational Sports director will occur this next academic year.

Identity and Inclusion

Gabe Javier, formerly assistant dean and director of the Multicultural Student Center, has been named interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs over the theme of identity and inclusion. Javier’s portfolio will consist of the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, International Student Services, the McBurney Disability Resource Center, the Multicultural Student Center, and the Veteran Services and Military Assistance Center. The search for a permanent associate vice chancellor to lead these units is expected to begin this fall.

While Javier is serving in this role, Ida Balderrama-Trudell will serve as interim assistant dean and director of the Multicultural Student Center.

Student Advocacy

Christina Olstad, the newly appointed dean of students, will oversee Associated Students of Madison, the Center for the First-Year Experience, the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the Parent and Family Program (which was previously part of Campus and Visitor Relations in University Relations).

 

 

Student Leadership and Community Engagement

In addition to serving as director of the Wisconsin Union, Mark Guthier will also serve as an associate vice chancellor for student affairs over student leadership and community engagement. He will oversee the Wisconsin Union, the Center for Leadership and Involvement, and alumni engagement and development for the Student Affairs units.

 

Additionally, Argyle Wade, who most recently served as interim dean of students, has been hired as chief of staff for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. As chief of staff, he will manage the flow of issues, projects and strategic initiatives.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank instituted the position of vice chancellor for student affairs in early 2018 to enhance the coordination of student services units and increase collaboration among them. Reesor joined the university in the position in the summer of 2018.