Three candidates for the position of Dean of Students at East Texas Baptist University were on campus this week and last for final interviews. They met with Student Affairs personnel, faculty, students, staff, and with President Dub Oliver. The person selected as ETBU’s new Dean of Students will be announced soon.
The candidates chosen to be interviewed represented the top three choices among dozens of people who applied for the position. Each person has a strong background in higher education and extensive experience in student life, student conduct, residence life, student activities, and other student affairs functions.
The three candidates were David A. Kennedy, currently the Assistant Director for Administrative Services at Baylor University; David Q. Hao, currently the Student Conduct Officer at Houston Baptist University; and Tyler B. Sellers, currently the Associate Dean of Students & Director of Student Activities at Howard Payne University.
The Dean of Students, along with the entire Student Affairs division, helps students to pursue and achieve their personal and educational goals, according to Xavier Whitaker, vice president for Student Affairs. The Dean works to offer student support, student advocacy, student engagement, and student success.
Once in place, the Dean of Students will join other newly appointed personnel in the Student Affairs office. Last week Whitaker announced that Emilee Rummel was serving as the Director of Campus Services. She began her duties on January 2, 2013. She is a native of Hallsville, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University. The office of Campus Services administers the purchasing, inventory, copying, and mail processing functions for the University.
Other changes in the Office of Student Affairs include the promotion of Megan Culpepper to the position of Director of Residence Life. Culpepper is also the Resident Director of Linebery Hall. She is a graduate of ETBU and holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Texas State University. Her responsibilities include overseeing the Residence Life staff and the housing administration process for the ETBU community.
Cody Finch, Resident Director of Mabee Housing Complex, also received a new appointment. He is the new Director of Summer Camps. In addition, Josh Carter, a graduate student completing his Master of Arts in Religion degree at ETBU, is serving as Interim Resident Director for University Apartments.
