Dean of Student Affairs Shollenberger to leave Columbia on May 31

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Kevin Shollenberger, Dean of Student Affairs for Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, announced today that he will be leaving Columbia to become Vice Provost for Student Affairs at Johns Hopkins University. Shollenberger's last day at Columbia will be March 31.

Kevin ShollenbergerKevin Shollenberger

"It has been a pleasure and honor to serve Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science for the past 14 years," Shollenberger said. "While I welcome this new and exciting challenge, leaving Columbia will be bittersweet. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated staff, and of course, the many outstanding students who continue to amaze me every day."

Under Shollenberger’s leadership, Student Affairs has enhanced the co-curricular experience for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering students, developing a new advising model, expanding international student programs and services, and standardizing judicial processes and approaches to student crises. Student Affairs has also improved outreach and communication to parents and families, increased opportunities for student-alumni engagement and initiated a number of other new programs and services that support Columbia undergraduates.

Shollenberger previously served for nine years as Associate Dean of Student Affairs, where he played a key role in the establishment of the Offices of Multicultural Affairs, Judicial Affairs, and Civic Action and Engagement, and helped enhance the Offices of Residential Programs and Student Development and Activities.

"Kevin has been a committed advocate for Columbia students, engaging them on matters of importance, communicating with students and their families at critical times, and facilitating conversations and intergroup dialogues," James J. Valentini, dean of Columbia College, and Donald Goldfarb, interim dean of The Fu Foundation of Engineering and Applied Science, said in a statement. “Kevin is a well-known presence on campus at student events and community celebrations, and has worked tirelessly to strengthen and enhance our undergraduate community.”

In his new role at Johns Hopkins, Shollenberger will oversee all co-curricular services and experiences, including academic services, registration, career services, multicultural affairs, health and wellness counseling, residential life, discipline and academic ethics, housing and dining operations, athletics, student accounts, and student employment, for more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Kevin and we wish him the best of luck at Johns Hopkins," Dean Valentini said. "Kevin has served Columbia College students for 14 years, the last five as Dean of Students, and we are grateful for all that he has done for our students."

Terry MartinezTerry Martinez

Deans Valentini and Goldfarb have appointed Terry Martinez as Interim Dean of Student Affairs. Martinez has served as Dean of Community Development and Multicultural Affairs since 2009.

"I am looking forward to taking on this new role and the opportunities and challenges that come along with it," Martinez said. "In the coming days, we will be working on a transition plan and will be certain that our focus remains on supporting the undergraduate experience."

"I am also looking forward to working with Terry," Dean Valentini said. "Terry has helped strengthen the co-curricular experience for our students and foster community engagement at Columbia since 2009. I am confident that she will continue to support students and strengthen the undergraduate experience at the College in this enhanced role."