Listening Sessions Thursday for UW Student Affairs VP Search

Listening sessions have been scheduled Thursday, Feb. 9, for a 14-member committee to gather input on the search for a new vice president for student affairs at the University of Wyoming.

The committee is conducting a national search to find a successor to Sara Axelson, who will retire at the end of the fiscal year after serving at UW for 18 years, the last 11 as vice president for student affairs.

Here is the schedule of Feb. 9 listening sessions. All sessions will be held at the Energy Innovation Center, Room 209 (BP Collaboration Room):

-- 8:30-9:15 a.m. -- Academic Affairs, colleges, enrollment units-Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Advising and Career Services, and Student Educational Opportunity.

-- 9:30-10:30 a.m. -- Dean of Students, Disability Support Services, Student Health Service, University Counseling Center and Campus Recreation.

-- 10:40-11:20 a.m. -- Residence Life and Dining Services, Wyoming Union and Vice President for Student Affairs Office.

-- 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Students’ open forum.

-- 12:30-1:15 p.m. -- Student leadership, including ASUW, Freshman Senate and recognized student organizations.

-- 2-2:45 p.m. -- Vice presidents and associate vice presidents.

-- 3-3:30 p.m. -- UW Foundation, Alumni Association, Athletics and Cowboy Parents Council.

-- 3:45-4:30 p.m. -- campus open forum.

The search committee is co-chaired by Paula Lutz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Robert Aylward, vice president for information technology.

“Input from these sessions is vital as UW selects a new vice president for one of the university’s most important areas. We strongly encourage everyone to attend and provide input,” Aylward says.

“We look forward to hearing from students, faculty and staff from across campus. We value your perspective,” Lutz says.

Finalists for the job selected by the committee are expected to come to campus for interviews and campus meetings. The committee’s recommendations will go to President Laurie Nichols who, in turn, will give her recommendation to the UW Board of Trustees. The objective is to have a new vice president in place by Aug. 1.

The vice president for student affairs oversees UW units focused on student life, including Residence Life and Dining Services, the Dean of Students Office, Campus Recreation, Student Health Service, the University Counseling Center and the Wyoming Union.

Anyone who can’t attend the sessions with questions or input is encouraged to email Lutz at paula.lutz@uwyo.edu and Aylward at robert.aylward@uwyo.edu.