It has just been announced that Dr. Joi Lewis, Dean of Student Life, is leaving Mills College, effective April 15, to accept a position as the Vice President of Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
“In Dr. Joi’s five years at Mills, she has championed the important work of the Division of Student Life and has been instrumental in bringing new thinking and initiatives to the Mills community,” wrote President Alecia DeCoudreaux in a Feb. 9 e-mail to the Mills community.
Dr. Joi has worked with the Division of Student Life to help students succeed academically, as well as to strengthen connections between students, staff and faculty, and the Mills and Oakland community.
“For the short term, upon Dr. Joi’s departure,” wrote DeCoudreaux, “Angela Batista, Associate Dean of Students, Community Life, and Kennedy Golden, Associate Dean of Students, Operations, will report to me. Themy Adachi, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of APER, Dorian Newton, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, and Monica Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Student Life, will temporarily report to Kennedy.”
DeCoudreaux assured the community that a national search will begin soon, and that there will be an on-going dialogue with the campus community.
“In the meantime, while there will be other opportunities to express our appreciation to Dr. Joi and celebrate her new position, please join me in thanking her for her many contributions to Mills College and wishing her much success ahead.”
