June 25, 2020
Changes announced for Office of Student Life
Dear K-Staters,
On June 12, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Senior Associate Dean of Students Heather Reed retired from the university. Heather worked 17 years at K-State, with 16 of those in the Office of Student Life, where she served as assistant director, assistant dean, associate dean and assistant vice president.
The Division of Student Life will greatly miss Heather’s leadership, her steadfast commitment to our students and her unwavering commitment to K-State. We thank Heather for her significant contributions to K-State and especially how she helped thousands of students successfully navigate challenges and achieve success. We wish her all the very best in this next chapter of her life. As Heather has shared she would prefer an in-person retirement celebration to a virtual one, the Division of Student Life plans to host an event to recognize her accomplishments later this fall semester. We will share that date once it is determined based on mass gathering allowances.
Due to current budget challenges, the assistant vice president for student life position Heather previously held will not be filled but will have responsibilities restructured. The Student Access Center will be added to the offices comprising Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs and will report to Associate Vice President for Student Life Adrian Rodriguez. As we continue efforts to help ensure an inclusive environment for students with disabilities and celebrate the diversity they bring to our campus community, I am excited about the educational and supportive opportunities this change will bring. Additionally, the Center for Student Involvement also will now report to Adrian as a part of his associate vice president portfolio.
With the immediate operational need for leadership in the Office of Student Life, I am pleased to announce that current Senior Assistant Dean of Students Andy Thompson will now serve as director of the office and senior associate dean of students. Andy’s expertise in Critical Incident Response Team management, student conduct and chairing our university's Early Assessment and Reporting Committee will help ensure the Office of Student Life will continue to serve as a supportive resource for our students and respond effectively to behavioral concerns this upcoming academic year and beyond.
Sincerely,
Thomas Lane
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students