Reesor selected as student affairs leader

Lori Reesor has been selected to lead and organize a broad portfolio of student services as the new vice chancellor for student affairs at UW–Madison.

Reesor, who currently serves as vice provost for student affairs and dean of students at Indiana University-Bloomington, will begin in the newly created role of vice chancellor for student affairs on July 1.

In her current role, she leads a student affairs division that includes the Indiana Memorial Union, the IU Health Center and other student life programs and services. Prior to IU, Reesor served as vice president for student affairs at the University of North Dakota.

“We were looking for someone with a long-term strategic vision on how we best serve students during their time on campus.  Lori impressed us all with her experience and thoughtful comments, ” says Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “I expect her to connect equally well with students and our employees.”

“I could not be happier to be returning to Wisconsin,” says Reesor, who received her bachelor’s degree in business from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and notes that her parents live in the Waukesha area. “I can’t wait to meet UW’s amazing students and employees.”

In addition to her administrative roles in student affairs, Reesor has also taught in higher education programs and authored several articles.  She is active in her professional association, NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) where NASPA honored her as a Pillar of the Profession in 2014.  She is the proud parent of two teenagers and tweets at @lorireesor.

Originally from the Chicago area, Reesor brings over 30 years of experience in student affairs at large public institutions including the University of Kansas, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Wichita State University.

A first-generation college student, she holds a doctoral degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree from Iowa State University.

The vice chancellor role is designed to strengthen the student experience by ensuring that the various units that provide student-related services on campus are strategically aligned and reporting directly to Chancellor Blank, through the vice chancellor.

The largest units reporting to the new Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will be the Wisconsin Union, the Division of Recreational Sports, University Health Services and the Division of Student Life, led this coming fall by interim dean of students Argyle Wade.