KU News Release

KU names Diana Robertson director of Department of Student Housing

Diana Robertson

LAWRENCE — Diana Robertson has been named director of the Department of Student Housing at the University of Kansas, Vice Provost for Student Success Marlesa Roney announced last week. Robertson has been interim director since February 2006 and at KU since 1999.

About 5,200 students reside in KU’s student housing facilities, including eight residence halls, 11 scholarship halls, the Jayhawker Towers single-student apartments and the Sunflower/Stouffer Place apartment complexes designed for students with children and/or students who are married.

“The national search for this critically important position at KU drew outstanding applicants,” Roney said. “Diana emerged as the top finalist and brings an exceptional mix of skills and experiences that will serve the KU community with distinction. I’m so pleased that Diana has accepted this leadership opportunity, and I look forward to seeing the impact of her leadership of this complex organization that plays such a critical role in students’ lives.”

Before coming to KU, Robertson was an assistant housing director at North Carolina State University. She also worked in Kansas State University’s housing and dining services department and began her career as a residence hall director and a resident adviser at several universities.

A Keokuk, Iowa, native, Robertson earned a doctoral degree in student counseling and personnel services at Kansas State, a master’s degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., and a bachelor’s degree at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. She received the Annuit Coeptis Emerging Professional Award and the Burns Crookston doctoral research award from the American College Personnel Association.

“It’s an honor to lead one of the finest housing staffs in the country,” Robertson said. “I’m delighted to continue to serve the students of the University of Kansas in this role.”

One of Robertson’s first official duties was to name Jennifer Wamelink associate director for residence life. Wamelink has been with student housing at KU since 1997 in progressively more responsible roles. Since April 2006, she has been interim associate director for residence life.

Wamelink holds a law degree from Wake Forest University.

“Jennifer’s organizational and institutional knowledge, collaborative skills and commitment to the growth of KU students and staff will be instrumental to the future of the Department of Student Housing,” Robertson said.

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