University Relations

To the Campus Community:

I am writing to update you on several personnel changes that occurred during the last month, many of which were in progress throughout the Fall semester, as well as changes that will take place later this year. These changes are in response to pending retirements and increased economic and competitive challenges and are designed to increase operating efficiency. All changes are revenue neutral, meaning that they are funded from existing budgets and personnel lines, or were approved through last year’s budget request process, including the recommendations of the University Budget Advisory Committee and in strategic planning efforts.

These changes will make UCCS stronger and represent the assignment of key existing university personnel to challenges that face the university as well as the hiring of new individuals who will bring fresh approaches to meeting our challenges.

An outline of changes in my office, as well as University Advancement, the Vice Chancellor for Student Success, and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance follow.

Chancellor’s Office.

As many of you know, Kathy Griffith, chief of staff, will retire in August after nearly 30 years service in the Chancellor’s Office at UCCS. With Kathy’s retirement, Susan Szpyrka, associate vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, will have her job changed to include key chief of staff duties. She will move to my office in August with continuing responsibilities for Human Resources, Public Safety and non-academic auxiliary units. Susan will assist me with macro-budget responsibilities and will be charged with increasing operating effectiveness and efficiencies in all non-academic auxiliaries. Andrea Cordova who will assume some of Kathy’s administrative duties will have her job changed to become executive assistant to the chancellor as of July 1. Rosemary Augustine will continue as chief legal counsel and legislative bill coordinator.

University Advancement

Jennifer Hane, director, Alumni and University Events, currently is directing many of the events previously under Kathy Griffith’s responsibility. Additionally, University Relations is conducting a search for an assistant director and will soon launch a search for a multi-media marketing coordinator. Two temporary employees, Jane Wampler, a former English Department instructor, and Jeff Foster, previously with the Teaching and Learning Center, College of Education, and Information Technology, are assigned to University Relations and reflect the consolidation of University Relations and the former Marketing Communications Office following the departure of Nancy Stannard and Roxanne Krute. Martin Wood serves as the chief operating officer for the University Advancement Division and will be leading, in coordination with many others on campus and a top consulting firm, a focused discussion on improving the branding and marketing of the university.

Student Success

Based on the recommendations of the vice chancellor for student success search committee, dean’s council, and university governance groups, I have appointed Robert Wonnett as vice chancellor for student success to a term limited appointment. Since April 2007, Robert has effectively served as interim vice chancellor. I believe he is the right choice to lead this important division of the university. Robert has agreed to serve in this position until late 2009 when he plans to retire after 30 years of state service. To ensure a smooth transition, we will launch a national search for this position in fall, 2008.

Tamara Moore, currently dean of students, has requested to move to a newly created position, executive director of auxiliary marketing. The new position is a revision of the existing housing director position. After 8 years of service, Sean Flaherty will leave UCCS effective June 30. In this position, Tamara will team with Susan Szpyrka, associate vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, and become responsible for the marketing functions of housing, bookstore, the Family Development Center, parking and the University Center. This position will be directly involved with all University Advancement marketing efforts. Susan will continue her responsibilities for overall financial and personnel management of campus housing and the Campus Recreation Center. Important linkages to Student Success for programming will be maintained.

Robert Wonnett will assume general management of the Dean of Students’ Office and will assign various duties to Student Success staff members while a search for a permanent dean of students is conducted.

In January, we welcomed Randall Langston as director of admissions services. Randall comes to UCCS from Findlay (Ohio) University and will be responsible for undergraduate student recruitment and admissions services. Steve Ellis has taken an expanded role as registrar and executive director of student systems.

Administration and Finance

In December, Gary Reynolds began as director of Facilities Services, having previously served in high-level facilities positions at Colorado College and Iowa State University. This month, he was joined by Dave Willower who will serve as director of Physical Plant. Dave comes to UCCS from CU-Boulder and with more than 30 years experience in maintaining education buildings. Gary and Dave fill vacant positions in the Facilities Services Department. More information about these new members of the UCCS community is available at www.uccs.edu/ur.

I ask that you join me in supporting current members of the UCCS staff as they take on new responsibilities and in embracing new staff members and their ideas to help UCCS achieve its goal of being the premier regional comprehensive research university.

Respectfully,

Pam Shockley-Zalabak
Chancellor