Dean of students on the job

Alicia Fedelina Chávez of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, started July 1 as dean of students at UW–Madison.

Chávez, an assistant professor in Miami University’s department of educational leadership, replaces Mary Rouse, now an assistant vice chancellor in charge of strengthening and expanding programs that connect classroom and service learning.

Chávez

A native of Taos, New Mexico, with a Hispanic and Native American background, Chávez says was drawn to the dean of students position at UW–Madison because of her strong interest in serving students and the university’s dedication to multiculturalism.

“UW-Madison is leading the way nationally in moving toward a more integrated kind of educational system, one that seeks to create a more multicultural way of being,” Chávez says.

“The university is seeking to address the whole person through service learning, improved teaching, the development of residential learning communities, and many other initiatives. I find that incredibly exciting, and to have the ability to assist is a humbling goal but full of possibilities.”

Chávez will play a leadership role in fostering and maintaining a multicultural and diverse institution that addresses the concerns of students of all backgrounds.

“Alicia’s extraordinary leadership abilities and commitment to excellence will be important contributions toward achieving our vision of student life,” says Paul Barrows, vice chancellor for student affairs. “I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Both Barrows and Provost John Wiley thanked Rouse for her leadership and effectiveness during her tenure as dean of students.

“I am delighted Alicia has accepted our offer for this very important leadership position on campus,” adds Wiley. “We have received nothing but outstanding reports from everyone who has met with her throughout the interview process.”

Chávez has a long history of working in higher education. She brings to UW–Madison extensive experience in student affairs, business affairs, diversity issues and academic research, both in student affairs practices and higher education.

Before joining Miami University’s faculty, she worked as a diversity development specialist in Iowa State University’s Department of Personnel and as director of the Hispanic Cultural Center at the University of Northern Colorado. She also held career development and student orientation positions at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and worked in residence hall management at Iowa State, Northern Colorado and New Mexico State University.

While completing her doctorate in higher education at the University of Arizona, Chávez worked as a graduate associate in the Dean of Students office there and also was a research associate in the institution’s Center for the Study of Higher Education. She earned a master’s in student personnel and higher education at Iowa State and a bachelor’s in psychology from New Mexico State.

Her academic scholarship focuses on multiculturalism within student affairs and throughout higher education, and her work has been published in several books and academic journals. Courses she has taught include diversity development and change in higher education; college student development; college student cultures; and student affairs in the new millenium. She is also active in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Chávez is married to Mark Carlsen, an architect, and enjoys long-distance bicycling, quilting and traveling. She was one of four finalists recommended to Barrows and Provost John Wiley by a 15-member search and screen committee after a nationwide search. Committee membership was divided equally between faculty, academic staff and students.

In addition to her duties as dean of students, she will hold an adjunct faculty position as assistant professor of educational administration in the School of Education. Her annual salary will be $108,000.