Wilson College Announces New Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

The College has named Kathy M. Buck, M.S.W., as the new vice president for student development and dean of students. She brings to the position more than 30 years of experience as a collaborative and community-minded student affairs leader.

Buck previously served as vice president for student life and mission integration at Saint Elizabeth University (formerly College of Saint Elizabeth), N.J. In this role, she led and provided the vision for all aspects of student services, including institutional budgeting; strategic planning; and development, implementation, and assessment of programs and policies related to student life. Having held positions with increasing levels of responsibility at Saint Elizabeth since 1989, much of her work has focused on meeting the needs of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and ethnically diverse student populations.

With the assistance of Spelman Johnson, a search firm specializing in higher education leadership roles, Wilson conducted an exhaustive national search for this important position. "We are delighted to have an innovative leader who understands the importance of an inclusive, supportive learning community to guide student development," Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., said. "Kathy brings insight, energy, knowledge, and experience to this role. Her ability to cultivate a collaborative culture and partner with other divisions of the institution will advance student engagement and student success across campus. And her advocacy for students and their needs will support student retention, persistence, satisfaction, and graduation outcomes. I look forward to working with her and her team as they align their work with the College's strategic plan and bolster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts across the division of student development."

Reporting to the College's president, the vice president of student development and dean of students is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and effective administration to the College's student development division and its many functions and services. The position works closely with the president, the executive team, academic deans and directors, faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to strengthen the co-curricular dimensions of student life and enhance the Wilson experience and sense of community and belonging for all students.

"I am thrilled to be joining the team at Wilson College, an institution that values a transformative education supported by a collaborative, relationship-centered culture conducive to student success," said Buck. "This is the type of environment in which my own deeply ingrained belief about the importance of fostering a sense of belonging for all will thrive. I'm looking forward to building on the past success of the student development team as we develop and execute a vision for the next era of the College's future. It will be an honor to serve the Wilson community as a thought leader, advocate, and collaborator on matters related to the student experience!"

Buck holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and education (elementary and special education) from Clark University, Mass., and a master's in social work with concentrations in administration, policy, and planning from Rutgers University, N.J.