ETBU Names Vice President for Student Affairs

MARSHALL, Texas (7/25/12)-East Texas Baptist University President Dr. Dub Oliver announced today that Xavier L. Whitaker has been selected to serve as Vice President for Student Affairs. Whitaker comes to ETBU from the University of Texas at Austin where for the past five years he has served as a Senior Student Affairs Administrator in the Cockrell School of Engineering.

"Xavier brings a great combination of energy, passion, intellect, and faith to this position and to ETBU. I believe we will be blessed by his leadership in our community," remarked Dr. Oliver.

Whitaker, a native of Jacksonville, Texas received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Southwestern College of Winfield, Kansas. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry with an emphasis in Leadership from Friends University of Wichita, Kansas. Whitaker is presently working on his dissertation in order to complete the Doctorate of Education degree with an emphasis in student success from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.

"I am honored to join the East Texas Baptist University family. I look forward to partnering with faculty, staff, and students to help the ETBU community engage fully in the exciting and rewarding life of the University,” said Whitaker. "Moreover, I am delighted to be a part of the Student Affairs team focused on supporting holistic student learning based on Biblical principles. Through an array of exceptional programs, services, facilities, and meaningful educational experiences, I am blessed to serve students who will serve the world."

A search committee representing the larger University community worked through the many applications, preliminary interviews, and finalist interviews. The search committee brought three finalists to campus for meetings with various constituent groups.

As the Vice President for Students Affairs, Whitaker will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, guide the student life experience of the University, act in a consulting/advisory manner to the President concerning student matters, and be responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and enabling student growth and development within the University community.

Prior to Whitaker’s position in the Cockrell School of Engineering he served as a Student Affairs Administrator at the University of Texas at Austin. Other positions served in higher education include Director of Campus Life at Southwestern College, Assistant Director for Leadership Initiatives at Baylor University and Coordinator of Student Activities at Friends University. He has teaching experience at both the University of Texas at Austin and Baylor University. Also, he is a recipient of the legendary Eyes of Texas and Staff Excellence awards given to outstanding faculty, administration, and staff for exemplary service at UT Austin. Whitaker has made many professional presentations and is active in professional associations such as the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

Whitaker will assume his duties at ETBU on September 4, 2012.

ETBU is a Christian four-year liberal arts institution located in Marshall and is celebrating its Centennial Year. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits ETBU to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees.