David Marchick, dean of Kogod School of Business and incoming interim American University president, announced that beginning July 1, the University’s student affairs and academic affairs divisions would begin integrating. According to a University-wide email sent out on Wednesday, June 17, the shift would be followed by major changes in school leadership.
Within the email, Marchick said that the merging of student and academic affairs will eliminate the Vice President of Student Affairs role, previously held by Dr. Raymond Ou. He called upon Dr. Dayne Hutchinson to take on the incoming role as interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs, which will report to Provost and previous dean of the School of Public Affairs Vicky Wilkins.
With Ou’s position eliminated, his departure from the University will ensue at the end of June. During his time at the University, Ou worked to implement the two-year residency requirement for incoming students, as well as the opening of the Well-Being Corner in the Meltzer Center.
Hutchinson previously served as Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, where he was responsible for maintaining administrative units including the Mary Graydon Student Center, the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, Kay Spiritual Life Center, the Center for Student Belonging, the Center for Student Involvement and the Center for New Student and Family Programs.
“Since joining American University more than three years ago, Dayne has become a trusted leader, a mentor to students and an energetic supporter of student organizations, bringing extensive expertise in building programs, partnerships and communities that help students thrive,” Marchick wrote in the statement.
A further development is the departure of Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Matt Bennett. Bennett, who worked at the University for seven years during the tenure of two presidents and the COVID-19 pandemic, is leaving to become the Chief Marketing Officer at NobleReach Foundation. Succeeding him is Katya Popova, assistant dean of Marketing and Strategy.
“Under [Popova’s] leadership, Kogod earned national recognition, posted record enrollment, and achieved the highest rankings in the school’s history,” Marchick wrote.
Finally, Marchick reported that the government and community affairs team will also report to Sarah Baldassaro, current chief of staff and counselor to the president, as Director of Presidential Communications Emilie Surrusco takes on a larger role in the University’s development and administration.
“We recognize that leadership transitions, even purposeful ones, raise questions and create uncertainty,” Marchick wrote. “Our goal is to strengthen and improve decision-making, empower faculty and staff, and further enhance an already outstanding student experience.”
This article was edited by Ella Altman, Cara Halford and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman and Mattie Lupo.
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