Andrew Oni Appointed Executive Director of Student Safety and Wellbeing</h1> <article> <h1>Andrew Oni Appointed Executive Director of Student Safety and Wellbeing</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:40:20 +0000</p> <span>Andrew Oni Appointed Executive Director of Student Safety and Wellbeing</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:40:20-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - 12:40">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:40</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Division of Student Life welcomes Andrew Oni as the new executive director of student safety and wellbeing.</p> <p>Oni brings 18 years of experience across higher education, community health outreach/education, and healthcare to his role at �鶹��Ƶ. </p> <p>Oni began his career in higher education as student advisor to incoming students at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Nigeria. In this role, he provided support to freshmen regarding adjustment to college life, connecting old, new, and transfer students to campus resources. </p> <p>Subsequently, he worked with a non-government organization in collaboration with the mayor’s office, in Elmsford, New York, to support and connect families with resources. During this period, he provided support to at-risk students by identifying needs and linking students and their families with resources. As part of his role, Andrew collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to create community services in lieu of incarceration. </p> <p>After working for nearly a decade in that position, Oni moved to healthcare, where he worked as program manager for Garnet Health in Middletown, New York. During this period, he was responsible for identifying, creating, and executing health education programs as well as prevention programs in mental health and substance use, especially opioids. To do this, he collaborated with county governments and partnered with other strategic healthcare providers in executing programs. He also worked with several departments within Garnet Health: behavioral health, emergency department, and other relevant departments to connect patients with agencies for continuity of care to reduce readmission rates. </p> <p>Most recently, Oni served at Mercy Health Lorain, where he was responsible for providing support to physicians and providers by creating networks of relationships. In this role, he was also responsible for ensuring a smooth referral process among providers.</p> <p>Oni has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a master’s degree in counseling and psychology, and a PhD in higher education leadership, management, and policy. In his spare time, Oni enjoys listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.</p> <p>Oni’s office is located in Dascomb Hall, and he can be reached at 440-775-5787.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Andrew Oni</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Mark Zeno Appointed Assistant VP and Dean of Residential Education and Campus Life Auxiliary Services</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:23:14 +0000</p> <span>Mark Zeno Appointed Assistant VP and Dean of Residential Education and Campus Life Auxiliary Services</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:23:14-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - 12:23">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:23</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Division of Student Life welcomes Mark Zeno as the new assistant vice president and dean of Residential Education and Campus Life Auxiliary Services.</p> <p>Zeno has more than 25 years of higher education experience in student affairs, working in several departments and divisions within the collegiate setting. He began his career in housing and Greek life at Ashland University while working on his master’s degree in higher education administration at the University of Akron. He left Akron to become the director of fraternity and sorority life and housing at Ohio Wesleyan University. After his four years serving the Ohio Wesleyan community, he was hired at Case Western Reserve University as a conduct and housing administrator within the residence life and fraternity/sorority life office.</p> <p>Zeno returned to Ashland University as assistant director of residence life and housing, where he managed all residential and fraternity/sorority houses, conduct, and orientation. He went on to become associate dean of students at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he oversaw residence life and housing, fraternity/sorority life, student engagement programming, student conduct, and dining/facilities management. </p> <p>Zeno returned to Ohio to become the assistant dean of student affairs at his alma mater, Heidelberg University. He was at Heidelberg for 14 years, leading the residence life and housing team, safety and security team, student conduct, student programs, facilities management, and dining services liaison. </p> <p>Zeno has also taught first-year and transfer courses at Baker University and Ashland University. He has been an active member in several national and state associations, including his most recent role as past president of Ohio College Personnel Association.</p> <p>Zeno earned his bachelor of science degree in computer information systems at Heidelberg and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Akron. He completed his PhD in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University, where his dissertation topic was “Housing Partnerships: Understanding Organizational Culture Elements and Building and Maintenance Strategies Between University Professionals and Private Corporate Developers.” </p> <p>In his spare time, Zeno is actively involved in community service with Kiwanis International, as well as serving in several capacities of leadership in the Marlin Auto Club and American Motors Owners national car club. He enjoys traveling with his daughter Madeline while camping at his favorite island on Lake Erie; Kelleys Island.</p> <p>Zeno’s office is located in Stevenson Hall 118, and he can be reached at 440-775-8118.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Mark Zeno</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Harmony Cross Appointed Dean of Student Success</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:29:26 +0000</p> <span>Harmony Cross Appointed Dean of Student Success</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-01-25T11:29:26-05:00" title="Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - 11:29">Tue, 01/25/2022 - 11:29</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The division of student life is pleased to welcome Harmony Cross as the new dean of student success. In this position, Cross is responsible for supporting the college's strategic goals through oversight and leadership of the Center for Student Success and the implementation of a comprehensive student retention and persistence strategy.</p> <p>An innovative and forward-thinking leader, Cross is passionate about student success, and excels in creating department structure and designing sustainable practices that promote efficiency. Prior to joining the �鶹��Ƶ community, Cross served as the dean of student development, engagement, and inclusion at Holyoke Community College (HCC), where she provided leadership to cocurricular areas and led student success initiatives. Most notably, Cross redesigned her division during a time of institutional realignment to meet the diverse needs of HCCs students. Cross led the strategic plan linkage pilot project for her division, which provided clear goals and metrics for her staff. She also led the inception of HCC's student development department, which aimed to increase the retention of its participants.</p> <p>Previously, Cross served as the director of the New York State Education Department's Higher Education Opportunity Program at Marymount Manhattan College (MMC), where she managed and developed holistic services and high-impact practices for academically and economically underserved students. She created specialized leadership and professional development opportunities for this population, which led to an increase in student recognition and participation in prestigious fellowships. During Cross’s time at MMC, she was appointed as the New York City Representative for the Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization, overseeing the largest region in the state.</p> <p>Cross is passionate about removing barriers for marginalized populations, cultivating a sense of belonging and safe space, increasing students’ social and cultural capital, and providing relevant opportunities for students to be fully engaged in the collegiate experience.</p> <p>Cross earned her M.Ed. in educational leadership, higher education concentration, at Temple University. She received a bachelor's degree in public administration at North Carolina Central University. She is currently working on her Ed.D. in higher education administration at Bradley University.</p> <p>Cross enjoys spending time with her loved ones, attempting new plant-based recipes, practicing therapeutic self-care methods, and traveling the world. Her office is in Wilder Hall 208, and she can be reached at 440-775-5356 or <a href="mailto:hcross@oberlin.edu">hcross@oberlin.edu</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-01-25T12:00:00Z">Tue, 01/25/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2379">Student Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3500">Dean of Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Harmony Cross is the new dean of student success.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Harmony Cross</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Matthew D. Lahey Appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary</h1> <p>bdenneen — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 15:20:34 +0000</p> <span>Matthew D. Lahey Appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary</span> <span><span>bdenneen</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-01-11T10:20:34-05:00" title="Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - 10:20">Tue, 01/11/2022 - 10:20</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Dear �鶹��Ƶ Community,</p> <p>I am pleased to announce that after a thorough national search, and approval by the �鶹��Ƶ College Board of Trustees Executive Committee, �鶹��Ƶ has appointed Matthew D. Lahey to the role of vice president, general counsel and secretary.</p> <p>During the search process, Matt stood out to me for his breadth of experience in higher education, his extensive work on diversity issues, his teaching experience, and his demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>Matt comes to us from the University of Notre Dame, where he held the position of associate general counsel for over eight years. In that role, he advised senior leadership on strategic initiatives and issues related to academic affairs, litigation, university policy and procedure, and institutional risk, among others. Matt brings significant experience in employment law, Title IX, and institutional compliance, and was the Office of General Counsel’s employment team leader. Matt has also held a faculty appointment at the Notre Dame Law School for the last several years, where he taught Employment Discrimination Law and Labor & Employment Law.</p> <p>Prior to his work at Notre Dame, Matt was a partner in the labor and employment group at the AmLaw 100 firm Schiff Hardin LLP in Chicago, where he worked for 13 years counseling and litigating on behalf of employers of all sizes on a wide range of employment and labor matters. While at Schiff, Matt published frequently and gave regular presentations on L&E laws and trends.</p> <p>Matt has also been on the board of directors for the Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County since 2018. The FJC is a federally funded non-profit organization committed to providing legal and other critical support services to victims of domestic violence.</p> <p>Matt shared that he is "incredibly honored and excited to work with President Ambar, the Board of Trustees, and �鶹��Ƶ College & Conservatory's entire leadership team as �鶹��Ƶ's next General Counsel and Secretary of the Board. �鶹��Ƶ is a unique and special community whose aspirations are reflected in its historical and contemporary ideals of intellectual curiosity, individual growth and empowerment, and inclusion. These values continue to help �鶹��Ƶ drive the world around it forward, and resonate with me in a very personal and profound way. I am thrilled and committed to do everything I can to support �鶹��Ƶ’s mission and its future."</p> <p>Matt earned his BBA in finance from the University of Notre Dame and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.</p> <p>I want to thank the members of the search committee for their thoughtful leadership during the search process. </p> <p>Matt’s first day at �鶹��Ƶ will be February 1. Please join me in welcoming Matt when he arrives on campus.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Carmen Twillie Ambar<br> President</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-01-11T12:00:00Z">Tue, 01/11/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>�鶹��Ƶ College Selects Highly Accomplished Library Director and Book Scholar Valerie Hotchkiss as Director of Libraries</h1> <p>anagy — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 18:11:58 +0000</p> <span>�鶹��Ƶ College Selects Highly Accomplished Library Director and Book Scholar Valerie Hotchkiss as Director of Libraries</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-08-16T14:11:58-04:00" title="Monday, August 16, 2021 - 14:11">Mon, 08/16/2021 - 14:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After a national search, Valerie Hotchkiss has been appointed the Azariah S. Root Director of Libraries. </p> <p>For the past five years, Hotchkiss served as university librarian at Vanderbilt University. Prior to that, she led Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University and the Rare Book & Manuscript Library at the University of Illinois. In all these roles, she has championed issues of access, public programming, and curricular connections.</p> <p>Under her leadership at Vanderbilt, the university’s libraries rose an unprecedented 22 places in national rankings. At all three institutions she has led, Hotchkiss has focused on making collections more accessible through cataloging and digitization projects and by expanding public outreach. She has also worked closely with faculty to incorporate library resources and services into as many classes as possible. She believes that a commitment to staff development was key to success in these libraries. </p> <p>“We are thrilled that Valerie has chosen to bring her expertise in and passion for libraries to �鶹��Ƶ College,” says Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences David Kamitsuka. “In the libraries she has directed, Hotchkiss has broken new ground in digital scholarship, renovated facilities, and has been a very successful fundraiser. She has deep appreciation for the essential role of libraries for a liberal arts education, and is a strong proponent of teaching with primary sources. Bill Quillen, Dean of the Conservatory of Music, and I are deeply grateful to the Library Director Search Committee, chaired by Associate Dean Laura Baudot, for their excellent work.”</p> <p>Baudot says Hotchkiss is a visionary leader, scholar, and author who rose to the top of an exceptionally strong selection of candidates. “Valerie’s extraordinary expertise and leadership will enhance and elevate the national reputation of our libraries.”</p> <p>In addition to leading the Vanderbilt Libraries, Hotchkiss served as professor of English at Vanderbilt. She earned a bachelor’s in classics at the University of Cincinnati (which awarded her a distinguished alumna award), a master’s in library science, and a Ph.D in medieval studies at Yale University. She is the author or coauthor of numerous books and articles on medieval cultural history, women's studies, and topics on the history of books and printing, including <em>Clothes Make the Man: Female Transvestism in Medieval Europe</em> (Routledge Press), <em>Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition</em> (Yale University Press), and <em>English in Print from Caxton to Shakespeare to Milton</em> (University of Illinois Press), as well as the digital edition series <em>Women in Print</em>.</p> <p>“Valerie has the acuity necessary to lead �鶹��Ƶ’s libraries during a time of unprecedented challenges in higher education,” says Dean Quillen. “Her vision and creativity are transformative, and I look forward to collaborating with her.”</p> <p>Hotchkiss says she is excited for the opportunity to work with the �鶹��Ƶ College Libraries starting this Fall. “�鶹��Ƶ libraries have so many strengths: the expert library staff, great spaces, and devoted students, professors, alumni, and friends who care deeply about the work of the library and its place in the larger educational mission.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-08-16T12:00:00Z">Mon, 08/16/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3449">�鶹��Ƶ College Libraries</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Valerie Hotchkiss is the new Azariah S. Root Director of Libraries.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Russell/Vanderbilt University</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Karen C. Goff Appointed Vice President and Dean of Students</h1> <p>bdenneen — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 21:33:24 +0000</p> <span>Karen C. Goff Appointed Vice President and Dean of Students</span> <span><span>bdenneen</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-08-04T17:33:24-04:00" title="Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - 17:33">Wed, 08/04/2021 - 17:33</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Dear �鶹��Ƶ Community,</p> <p>I am pleased to announce that after a thorough national search, and approval by the �鶹��Ƶ College Board of Trustees Executive Committee, �鶹��Ƶ has appointed <a href="/node/362451">Karen C. Goff</a> to the role of vice president and dean of students.</p> <p>Karen has an unwavering commitment to student development, a firm vision for co-curricular programming, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the strategic leadership to manage Student Life, a division critical to �鶹��Ƶ’s future. �鶹��Ƶ is fortunate to have her thoughtful, student-focused guidance in support of our position as a leader in higher education. </p> <p>Karen comes to us from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she has been a transformative leader as vice president for student affairs and dean of students for the past five years. She is a data-driven strategist who has developed and implemented elite quality programs and services to enhance student engagement. </p> <p>Karen has spent approximately 20 years in higher education, mainly as a student affairs educator and practitioner, and is poised to lead �鶹��Ƶ into its next era. She has experience in crisis management, planning, diversity, equity and inclusion, strategic planning, and student affairs. </p> <p>Prior to arriving at Agnes Scott, she worked for 12 years at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey, where she was instrumental in shaping the student experience. The last eight years of her career at Georgian Court, she was dean of students and associate provost for student life. Karen has also taught as an adjunct professor at other institutions of higher learning.</p> <p>As Karen wrote to me in an email, “I am delighted to be joining you, your leadership team, and the entire �鶹��Ƶ community. The dedication and commitment of everyone to the student experience were evident throughout my interview process. I look forward to partnering with multiple stakeholders to create a sense of belonging for all Obies and to engage students in a dynamic and robust co-curricular living and learning experience.” </p> <p>Karen has degrees in psychology and divinity, and has completed her doctoral course work in higher education administration at Northeastern University. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Georgian Court University and a master of divinity degree from Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary.</p> <p>I am grateful to Dean David Kamitsuka for overseeing this search, and to the other members of the search committee for their leadership and guidance. </p> <p>Karen’s first day at �鶹��Ƶ will be September 20. Please join me in giving her a warm �鶹��Ƶ welcome when she arrives.</p> <p>Sincerely, </p> <p>Carmen Twillie Ambar<br> President</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-08-04T12:00:00Z">Wed, 08/04/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/karen-goff" hreflang="und">Karen Goff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Daniel Fowler</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Josh Jensen Appointed Vice President for Communications</h1> <p>swargo — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:54:53 +0000</p> <span>Josh Jensen Appointed Vice President for Communications</span> <span><span>swargo</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-07-28T09:54:53-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 09:54">Wed, 07/28/2021 - 09:54</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>July 9, 2021<br> <br> Dear �鶹��Ƶ Community,</p> <p>I am pleased to announce that after a thorough national search, �鶹��Ƶ has appointed Josh Jensen to the role of Vice President for Communications.<br> <br> Josh is a tested strategic communicator who will build upon �鶹��Ƶ’s current marketing and communications efforts. As the new leader of our Office of Communications, he will continue our work of positioning �鶹��Ƶ for continued growth while supporting the institution and its leadership.<br> <br> During his 22 years of communications experience, Josh has studied, taught, and worked in higher education institutions across the nation. He comes to �鶹��Ƶ from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where he is the Vice President for Enrollment and Communications. He also was co-chair of Whitman’s COVID-19 Response Committee. He previously served in progressive leadership roles in communications at Connecticut College and Boston College. Prior to these higher educational institutions, Josh was a communications professional at various non-profits focused on domestic violence and youth advocacy.<br> <br> In recent years, Josh helped Whitman College address difficult town-gown relationship issues, oversaw a rebranding of the college, and devised a marketing program that led to enrollment increases.<br> <br> Equally important, I believe Josh’s expertise in enrollment marketing will help him support and complement Ben Jones, who will shift over from Communications to Admissions, where he will strengthen our enrollment marketing strategies. Ben led our Communications team for 13 years, and I am excited at the prospect of him bringing his experience to bear in an area critical to �鶹��Ƶ’s future success.<br> <br> Josh has degrees in music, business administration and higher education, making him well-suited for �鶹��Ƶ. He earned a Bachelor of Music at the University of Hartford, Hartt School, an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a PhD in Higher Education from Boston College.<br> <br> I am grateful to Chief of Staff David Hertz for overseeing this search, and to the other members of the search committee for their leadership and guidance.<br> <br> Josh’s first day at �鶹��Ƶ will be September 13. Please join me in giving a warm �鶹��Ƶ welcome to him when he arrives.<br> <br> Sincerely,<br> Carmen Twillie Ambar<br> President</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-07-28T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/28/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Office of General Counsel and Secretary Announces New Staff Appointments</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:56:38 +0000</p> <span>Office of General Counsel and Secretary Announces New Staff Appointments</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-06-29T11:56:38-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - 11:56">Tue, 06/29/2021 - 11:56</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Board of Trustees has approved the appointments of higher education attorney Josh Nolan as interim vice president, general counsel and secretary, and Krista Anderson as the office manager and senior paralegal. Nolan will replace Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Donica Varner, who, after serving �鶹��Ƶ for four years, has accepted the vice president, general counsel and secretary position at Cornell University. Her last day on campus is June 30. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Josh Nolan, interim vice president, general counsel and secretary. Photo credit: Jack Lichtenstein '23</figcaption> </figure> <p>Nolan is a partner in the higher education practice group at Bricker & Eckler, an Ohio-based firm. Throughout his career, he has helped numerous universities, public institutions, and private colleges handle many facets of education law, including Title IX, and he manages sensitive litigation and administrative actions for individuals, institutions, and universities. He joined the office June 1 and has been on campus daily to allow for a thorough onboarding and transition. </p> <p>Nolan’s primary areas of responsibilities include: employment and labor, academic HR, student affairs, litigation and agency complaints, governance issues, compliance, diversity, equity and inclusion/nondiscrimination/anti-harassment policy violations, and athletics. </p> <p>The college has contracted with Bricker & Eckler to provide interim general counsel and corporate governance services until a regular appointment is made. President Carmen Twillie Ambar is appointing a search advisory committee to work with the executive search firm Spencer Stuart to conduct a national search. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Krista Anderson, office manager/senior paralegal for the office of General Counsel and Secretary. Photo by Jack Lichtenstein '23</figcaption> </figure> <p>The office of General Counsel and Secretary also welcomes Lorain County native Krista Anderson as the new office manager/senior paralegal. Anderson brings to the role more than 20 years of experience as a legal secretary, paralegal, and law office manager. Most recently, Anderson worked as firm director and chief litigation paralegal of a law firm in downtown Cleveland specializing in professional liability and insurance defense, in which she was a key player in the establishment of a new law office. </p> <p>Prior to joining the legal field in 2007, Anderson worked as an office manager for her family's automotive repair business in Lorain County. She fills the role formerly held by Jonathan Herr, who left the college in early June. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-06-29T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/29/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The Cox Administration Building.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Announces the Election of Donica Thomas Varner as Fellow</h1> <p>swargo — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 16:44:18 +0000</p> <span>The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Announces the Election of Donica Thomas Varner as Fellow</span> <span><span>swargo</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-06-22T12:44:18-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - 12:44">Tue, 06/22/2021 - 12:44</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The <a href="https://www.laborandemploymentcollege.org">College of Labor and Employment Lawyers</a> has announced the election of Donica Thomas Varner as a new fellow. Varner has served as vice president, general counsel, and secretary at �鶹��Ƶ since 2017. She will become Cornell University’s next vice president and general counsel in July. Election as a fellow is the highest recognition by ones colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication, and excellence.</p> <p>The twenty-sixth installation of fellows is scheduled for November 13, 2021 in Beverly Hills, California. The annual induction dinner is traditionally held coincident with the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section’s Continuing Legal Education Conference. With the current installation, the college is represented by more than sixteen hundred members in forty-six states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and eight Canadian Provinces.</p> <p>The college was the vision of a number of the fellows. The idea was to further establish the profession in all its aspects as one uniquely important to the world of labor and employment law, individual rights, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution. The college was established in 1995 through an initiative of the Council of The Section of Labor and Employment Law of the American Bar Association. It operates as a free-standing organization in recognizing those who, by long and outstanding service, have distinguished themselves as leaders in the field.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-06-22T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/22/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jennifer Manna</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Meet the Chief</h1> <p>mbragg — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:58:13 +0000</p> <span>Meet the Chief</span> <span><span>mbragg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-11-09T14:58:13-05:00" title="Monday, November 9, 2020 - 14:58">Mon, 11/09/2020 - 14:58</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Hertz works closely with President Carmen Twillie Ambar and senior administrators to implement their agendas and help the institution improve its strategic communications. He officially took the helm on July 1, after serving on an interim basis following the retirement of Ferd Protzman ’75 in December 2019.</p> <p>Hertz comes to �鶹��Ƶ after 14 years with Dix & Eaton, one of the top public relations agencies in the country. ‘‘I left as a managing director and oversaw the media relations group. I specialized in national media strategy and �鶹��Ƶ was actually one of my clients,’’ he says.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>David Hertz passes through Tappan Square.<br> Photo credit: Yvonne Gay</figcaption> </figure> <p>‘‘�鶹��Ƶ brought me in to help with communications around the Gibson case, and then I started to evolve into other areas of support for the college, strategic communications counsel. When Ferd decided to retire, I was asked to temporarily fill the role of chief of staff,’’ he says. ‘‘The more I did the job, the more I realized how much I enjoyed it, how much I enjoyed �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>‘‘President Ambar offered me the position on a permanent basis, and I made the decision to accept that offer. Much to my surprise I might add; I wasn’t expecting this.’’</p> <p><a href="/node/182336">Hertz</a>, a Shaker Heights, Ohio native, earned a BA in English from the University of Virginia and a MA in journalism from the University of Missouri. He started his career as a news reporter with the <em>Boca Raton News</em> (Florida) and later worked as an editor with the <em>Akron Beacon Journal</em> (Ohio). As the youngest assigning editor in the newsroom, he proposed and helped plan a year-long series examining race relations in Akron that received the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Public Service in 1994.</p> <p>The continued decline in the newspaper industry gave him pause and the opportunity to rethink his career path.</p> <p>‘‘I needed to make a change and wanted to go to a quality PR firm that was known for its integrity. Dix & Eaton was one that I really aspired to work for. They had a great reputation; I was lucky to land with them.’’</p> <p>During his tenure at Dix & Eaton, Hertz and his team spearheaded Northeast Ohio’s media relations campaign to promote Cleveland’s hosting of the 2016 Republican National Convention. Their job was to promote Northeast Ohio, the city of Cleveland, and the business community. The widespread media attention the city received earned Hertz and his team several national PR honors, including two Silver and one Bronze Anvil awards, the top awards from the Public Relations Society of America.</p> <p>Although his duties as �鶹��Ƶ’s chief of staff are similar to those of his predecessor, the position, he says, is largely undefined. ‘‘It needs to be individualized to fit not only the person who’s doing it but the needs of the president, the needs of the executive you are seeking to help. My top priority is to assist the president in implementing her agenda and in moving �鶹��Ƶ College forward. So, I am implementing that job in a way that reflects her priorities and her pace.</p> <p>‘‘During this pandemic, one of her top priorities is the health and safety and welfare of the campus community,’’ he says, ‘‘so one of my top priorities has been that: maintaining, protecting the health and safety and well-being of our community.’’ As a result, Hertz has focused on the testing protocol that follows a layered health care strategy, and the communications strategy around the six pillars strategy that the college has implemented to help it move forward during the coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>Other priorities include the <a href="/node/410371">Presidential Initiative on Racial Equity and Diversity</a>, organized this fall to address issues of violence, police-community relationships, and racial injustice; and <a href="/node/172131">One �鶹��Ƶ</a>, the institution’s long-range initiative to enhance student learning outcomes and develop a roadmap to financial resiliency.</p> <p>In addition to supporting the president’s agenda, Hertz has priorities of his own. ‘‘I want to help tell the �鶹��Ƶ story in a more effective, powerful way, and I want to help this leadership team perform even better as a team.’’</p> <p>Coming from an energetic and fast-paced PR agency, Hertz was surprised to find a comparable work culture at a liberal arts college. He’s also been pleasantly surprised by the strong desire among senior administrators in particular to continue to move the institution forward at pace. ‘‘The complete commitment to positioning �鶹��Ƶ for success in the future, regardless of the challenges that liberal arts colleges face in the coming few years; and the commitment to academic excellence here is impressive, it’s just completely impressive,’’ he says.</p> <p>While his official introduction to �鶹��Ƶ came via a highly publicized litigation case with a local business, Hertz says the president is working to strengthen and build new relationships with city and business leaders. He joined Ambar in a presentation before �鶹��Ƶ City Council to share how they planned to protect the health and safety of the campus community during the pandemic. ‘‘That was important to do; we are going to try to do more of those kinds of outreach to improve the town-gown relationship.’’</p> <p>Away from �鶹��Ƶ, Hertz and his family—wife Beth, who works in media relations at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital; daughter Alyssa, a fashion and costume design student at Kent State University; and son Joshua, a high school senior—live in Copley, where he uses his down time to garden (fruit trees, raspberries, herbs, and a lot of flowers), hit the hiking trails in Summit County Metroparks, and officiate at USA swim meets.</p> <p>‘‘I didn’t anticipate leaving Dix & Eaton. I was happy where I was,” he says, recalling his early days working at the college. “I didn’t anticipate enjoying the job of chief of staff as much as I did, and I didn’t anticipate meeting so many people I admired and thoroughly enjoyed working with. It was just the perfect way to work my way into a new job ... that I was not seeking.’’</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-11-09T12:00:00Z">Mon, 11/09/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Marsha Lynn Bragg</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>From Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist to award-winning public relations executive, David Hertz has channeled his strengths in communications to become �鶹��Ƶ’s chief of staff.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Chief of Staff David Hertz pauses from reviewing his notes while in his office in the Cox Administration building.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>