Chavez plans return to faculty

Dean of Students Alicia Fedelina Chávez will leave her position later this year to devote full-time attention to her faculty position as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Administration.

The change is expected to take effect sometime this summer, or after a new dean is appointed, says Paul Barrows, vice chancellor for student affairs.

Chávez, who has held the dual positions of dean and assistant professor since she came to UW–Madison in July, 2000, says the subjects of diversity and cultural studies in higher education have always been her passion. However, the demands of the dean position have prevented her from spending more time teaching and writing in those areas.

“I’ve been longing for a return to teaching, scholarship and faculty life,” says Chávez, who came to UW–Madison from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. “I’ve enjoyed my work as dean of students and I will miss my colleagues, who have been incredible. In tough times, it’s a job that can bring out the best or worst of people. They’ve always shown me their best.”

Chávez says she was most proud of helping to deal with the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a recent E. coli infection and various tragedies that affected students or their families. In addition, Chávez has worked to promote a healthy and diverse campus climate, shared governance and a student voice in decision making.

Barrows says Chávez’s leadership will be missed, but that he is pleased that she’ll remain a member of the university community, making contributions in new ways.

“Alicia has been an important advocate for students, especially in the areas of diversity and campus climate,” Barrows says. “We’ll miss her.”

A native of Taos, N.M., with a Hispanic and Native American background, Chávez brings extensive experience to the School of Education in student affairs, business affairs, diversity issues and academic research, both in student affairs practices and higher education. She hopes to begin teaching by fall.

She has a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arizona, a master’s in student personnel and higher education from Iowa State and a bachelor’s in psychology from New Mexico State.

Allen Phelps, chair of the Department of Educational Administration, says Chavez’s national reputation as a researcher along with her professional experience as dean will directly benefit graduate students studying student affairs issues.

“We’re pleased and excited to be gaining Dean Chávez’s expertise on a full-time basis,” Phelps says. “Our growing higher education program should benefit significantly.”

A search and screen committee will form later this month to begin a nationwide search for a new dean, Barrows says. The Dean of Students office oversees student life and services for the university’s 40,000 students.