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Kimberly Chestnut Named UW Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

head portrait of a woman
Kimberly Chestnut, the current assistant vice president for student affairs at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., has been selected as the University of Wyoming associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. (Kimberly Chestnut Photo)

Kimberly Chestnut has been selected as the University of Wyoming associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. Her appointment, contingent upon approval by the Board of Trustees, is scheduled to begin Aug. 20.

Chestnut is the assistant vice president for student affairs at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., a post she has held since 2017. West Chester University was founded in 1871 and serves a full-time enrollment of 17,000 students.

She oversees West Chester’s Identity, Health and Wellness unit, which includes the Counseling Center, Student Health, Center for Women and Gender Equity, Wellness Promotion, LGBTQA Center and Campus Recreation. Chestnut also chairs various committees that work closely with departments that provide service and response to students in times of challenge, including public safety, student conduct, Title IX, the counseling center and academic affairs.

Chestnut holds a doctoral degree in human sexuality education and a master’s degree in education, both from Widener University in Chester, Pa. She received her master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Chestnut has held positions at the University of Colorado; Berkeley College in New Jersey; Antioch University Midwest in Yellow Springs, Ohio; Temple University in Philadelphia; and Widener University.

“We are very excited to welcome Kimberly Chestnut to UW and Laramie,” says Sean Blackburn, UW vice president for student affairs. “She will be a key leader in the Division of Student Affairs and brings to us a wealth of experience.”

Chestnut says she looks forward to her new position because of what the university, students and staff have to offer.

“I was attracted to the position because the portfolio was a great combination of areas I wanted to learn more about and areas of strength in my previous experience. I look forward to sharing my skills and being of service while also learning with colleagues and students,” Chestnut says. “I accepted the position because I was impressed with the university, students and staff when I came for my campus visit. It was better than I expected and certainly impressive as a land-grant institution for Wyoming.”

She says this is “an incredible opportunity” to support students with growth and development by working with UW colleagues to refine the programs and services offered through the Dean of Students Office.

“Such a team works to provide a balance of challenge and support that helps to advance students' understanding of their place and purpose in a global community,” Chestnut adds.

She is a member of the American College Health Association; National Association of Student Personnel Administrators; American College Personnel Association-College Student Educators International; Association of Title IX Administrators; Advanced Sex Educators and Trainers; American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists; and Delta Gamma fraternity.

Chestnut adds that one of her early goals is to take the time to meet and listen to the campus community about its needs and desires.

“Such information not only teaches me about the university, but also helps inform areas of priority,” Chestnut says. “Additionally, I begin a few days before the start of the semester, so there will just be some work to get done to get the year started off well.”

She will move to Laramie with her husband, Jason Steich.

 

 

Contact Us

Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu


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