Dr. Robert Hradsky will start as the new dean of students and assistant vice president of Campus Life Oct. 20.
Hradsky was one of several candidates for the position who went through a series of interviews and presentations in August, including interviews with students, Office of Campus Life staff and AU President Neil Kerwin. Hradsky also hosted a presentation about himself that all students, faculty and staff could attend. Hradsky and Interim Dean of Students Sara Waldron were the two finalists for the position, according to Student Government Comptroller Eric Goldstein.
"It was a transparent process," said Bernard Schulz, special assistant to Vice President of Campus Life Gail Hanson. "We're delighted to have [Hradsky] starting."
Hradsky says that he will not institute any changes right away, and that his first priority as dean of students will be to listen to what members of the AU community are saying.
"Before any changes are made, I need to talk with students, talk with faculty, talk with staff," he said.
Hradsky said he was drawn to AU because of its commitment to academic excellence and its student-centeredness.
"Students that I met with were so impressive, not only because of their commitment to the institution, but also because they were involved in so many activities," Hradsky said.
Hradsky has been the vice provost for student affairs at the University of Baltimore since 2005, according to a press release from the Office of Campus Life.
Hradsky said he looks forward to getting back to a traditional residential campus, rather than a commuter school.
Hradsky grew up in the Baltimore suburbs, and considers himself a native to this area, he said. He graduated from Loyola College in Maryland, where he said a resident assistant got him interested in the field of student affairs.
Hradsky said he received his masters' degree from the University of Vermont and his doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
Hradsky said he has worked with students at numerous institutions during his career, including the career center of the University of Maryland, College Park, and as the assistant dean of student affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.
In his spare time, Hradsky likes to read science fiction novels, work on home improvement projects and attend his four children's sporting events, he said. Although none of Hradsky's children are in college yet, three of them are in high school and are looking at potential colleges, including AU, he said.
The position of dean of students has been empty since the end of June, when former Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Dean of Students Faith Leonard retired.
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