November/December 2008
Around the Quads
Shollenberger Named Dean of Student Affairs
Kevin Shollenberger, who has been associate dean for nine years in the College/SEAS Office of Student Affairs, has been named Dean of Student Affairs. The announcement was made on October 17 by Dean of the College Austin Quigley and SEAS Interim Dean Gerald Navratil.
Kevin Shollenberger Photo: Cynthia JenningsShollenberger succeeds Chris Colombo, now dean of student life at MIT. Colombo led the successful integration of the student affairs organizations for the two schools during his 16 years at Columbia.
Shollenberger has been working in student affairs for almost 20 years. Before coming to Columbia, he was director of leadership development at the University of Hawaii at Manoa with an adjunct faculty appointment in the College of Education teaching leadership studies. Before that, he held a variety of positions in the student affairs department at American University. He is on the international board of the National Coalition Building Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to training community leaders in the art of conflict resolution and building inclusive multicultural communities.
At Columbia, Shollenberger has enhanced a number of programs and services that support undergraduates. He has played a key role in the organization of the Offices of Multicultural Affairs, Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, and Student Group Advising. He has enhanced the Office of Residential Programs, significantly increasing opportunities for students to learn from interaction with each other and with faculty and alumni in the residence halls. Shollenberger also led the Office of Student Development and Activities in enhancing student group advising and creating a comprehensive leadership development program. This fall, he oversaw the successful student orientation program.
Concurrently, V.P. for Arts and Sciences Nick Dirks has appointed Shollenberger to the position of associate v.p. for undergraduate student life. In that role within the Arts and Sciences, he will help coordinate the services provided to the entire Columbia undergraduate community. For the day-to-day student affairs operations of the College and SEAS, Shollenberger will continue to report directly to the deans of the two schools.
It is anticipated that Shollenberger will serve as dean and a.v.p. for approximately two years during the transition of the deans of the College and SEAS. When appointed, the new deans for the schools will initiate a search for the position.