Mills is welcoming a new vice president for student life and dean of students, Dr. Chicora Martin.
“A strong organizational leader, Chicora has ensured a commitment to academic student life partnerships by staying connected to the student experience and being open and available to students, staff, faculty, and community partners,” said DeCoudreaux in a recent memorandum.
After Eloise Stiglitz’s retirement from the position in Oct. 2014, private interviews were held last month by the Vice President of Student Life Search Committee to replace her. Students and faculty were also asked for their opinion during the process, including an online view of their resumes and participation in public forum meetings to gain a stronger sense of each candidate.
Junior CJ Roessler attended all three public forums in December, expressing her concerns for students with disabilities to each candidate. Once she filled out the response questionnaire for each one, Roessler favored Dr. Martin.
“I liked them all, and they were all well-qualified, but Dr. Martin was my favorite, so I’m glad she was offered and accepted the position,” Roessler said.
Each candidate provided a great amount of experience in their resumes and within the forums, but Roessler felt that Martin was capable to fill the position.
“The experience [Martin] brings to the table seems in line with what I feel the Mills dean of students needs to have right now.” Roessler said. “It’s hard to judge from just the brief time we had to meet and hear each candidate, but I think Dr. Martin’s style and personality suits Mills the best.”
Chief of Staff and Vice President for Communications and External Relations, Renee Jadushlever, also expressed positive hopes for Dr. Martin in her new position as Dean of Students.
“I am pleased to have Chicora Martin as a new colleague and feel that her experience, energy and creative thinking will be very impactful in addressing student needs, enhancing their experiences and positioning them for success,” Jadushlever said.
Martin currently serves as the assistant dean of student and director of LGBT education and support services at the University of Oregon. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Colorado State University and a master’s in higher education from Florida State University.
During her time at the University of Oregon, Martin built a large amount of experience working with students and their experiences. Martin’s work extends from creating initiatives to address the needs of students of color to leading a center on policy development for inclusion of gender identity and expression at the University of Oregon’s nondiscrimination policy and gender inclusive housing.
“I know that Chicora’s commitment to ensuring a dynamic campus culture and an exceptional student experience will serve her well as she assumes her new role,” said DeCoudreaux in the memorandum.
Martin officially begins her duties as dean of students on Feb. 23. In the meantime, Martin has visited the Mills campus to meet students and faculty to build a greater engagement with the community.
