Fourth candidate for vice provost for student success on campus this week

LAWRENCE -- The fourth finalist for the position of vice provost of the Office for Student Success at the University of Kansas will be on campus Thursday and Friday to interview and participate in two open forums.

Dennis R. Black, vice president for student affairs at the State University of New York at Buffalo, will be featured in an open student forum from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the Malott Room of the Kansas Union. An open faculty and staff forum will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, in the union's Alderson Auditorium.

Black is one of five candidates under consideration for vice provost for student success, a position that formerly was titled vice provost for student support. The new title becomes effective in July.

Prior to his appointment as vice president for student affairs, Black served as the associate vice provost for student services and dean of students at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Black received his undergraduate degree in 1978 and his juris doctor degree in 1981 from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

He is a member of the Western New York Consortium of Student Affairs Officers and the State University of New York Council of Chief Student Affairs Administrators. He also is a board member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, or NASPA.

In 2002, Black was a national nominee for the Region II NASPA Scott Goodnight Outstanding Dean. He also is an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society.

The Office for Student Success will include both academic and student services as recommended by a reorganization task force and approved by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor David Shulenburger last August. The title reflects the office's commitment to providing services that promote student retention, academic success and graduation.

The Office for Student Success includes the KU Memorial Unions, Student Health Services, Student Housing, Student Financial Aid and the Department of Student Life. The student life department includes Recreation Services, Legal Services for Students, Hilltop Child Development program, Services for Students with Disabilities, University Career and Employment Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Multicultural Affairs, the Student Development Center, Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center, and the University Information Center. Academic Services includes Admissions and Scholarships, New Student Orientation, the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center, the University Registrar, the Writing Center and Academic Technology Services.