Associate VPs to oversee student engagement, residential learning at Rowan

 

Two new associate vice presidents have been appointed to join Rowan University's Division of Student Affairs.

Carol Gruber, currently vice president for student affairs at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, will join Rowan Oct. 1 as associate vice president for student engagement, a newly created position.

Richard Jones, formerly dean of students at Huntingdon College in Alabama, joined Rowan Aug. 4 as interim associate vice president for residential learning/dean of students.

Jones succeeds George Brelsford, who has been appointed dean of students at the University of Delaware. Rowan will conduct a national search for the permanent position next year, according to Carmen Jordan-Cox, Rowan's vice president for student affairs.

"Our new associate VPs are proven student affairs leaders who undoubtedly will be great additions to the Rowan family," Jordan-Cox said.

In her position as associate vice president for student engagement, Gruber will be responsible for a host of initiatives, including, but not limited to: developing and coordinating effective student engagement and leadership development programs; advising student government; enhancing student activities and programming; and expanding student community engagement through service learning and volunteerism.

Gruber has 22 years of experience in student affairs. She formerly served as assistant vice president for academic affairs and dean of students at Carlow; director of academic counseling and student services for intercollegiate athletics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; and director of academic counseling and student services in women's athletics at the University of Iowa.

Gruber, a native of Long Beach, Calif., holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from California State University, Long Beach; a master's degree in physical education and sports psychology from the University of Southern California; and a doctorate in sports psychology, counseling and human development from the University of Iowa.

A former intercollegiate volleyball and basketball player, she also coached Division I volleyball and track and field.

As interim associate vice president/dean of students, Jones will be responsible for residential learning, housing, the Career and Academic Planning Center, the Academic Success Center, Judicial Affairs, Greek Life, EOF/MAP, and student mentoring programs.

In his 18-year career in higher education, Jones has served in a number of student affairs positions. At Huntingdon College, he was dean of students, associate dean of students and director of residential life.

Jones also worked as managing director for Century Campus Housing Management at the University of New Orleans, assistant director of residential and judicial affairs, and director of conference services at Vanderbilt University, resident director at Mississippi State University, and admissions coordinator at the University of North Florida.

A native of Florida, Jones earned his bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of North Florida and his master's degree in counselor education/student development from Mississippi State. He is completing his doctorate in educational leadership, policy and law at Alabama State University.

Jones was the recipient of Huntingdon's "First-Year Experience Teacher of the Year Award" and Vanderbilt's "Affirmative Action Award."