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Printer-Friendly ModePresident names staff members to new positions
February 8, 2010 —
When Robert Maurovich, longtime vice president for enrollment management and student services, announced last August that he would retire this spring, a search began immediately for his replacement.
On Jan. 28, University President Eric Gilbertson announced the results during his annual State of the University address.
Maurovich’s duties would be split between Merry Jo Brandimore, current dean of student services, and Jim Dwyer, head of international programs. Brandimore will assume the role of vice president of student services this June, while Dwyer will become vice president of enrollment management.
Brandimore, who has worked at Saginaw Valley for 26 years, including the last two as Dean of Student Affairs, said her responsibilities will not be drastically different from her current ones.
But she said that Student Minority Services, one of the departments she oversees, will move to Curtiss Hall, closer to the others under her guidance.
To make room, Career Planning and Placement Services, an office under Dwyer’s direction, will move from Curtiss Hall to Wickes. Brandimore says the moves will benefit students.
The aim is to help students “find jobs that complement their goals,” she said, acknowledging the role in helping retain students played by Career Planning and Placement and its “close cousin” Academic Counseling.
Keeping students in school is difficult in a tough economy, Dwyer said. Eighty-five percent of SVSU students apply for some form of financial aid each year.
Another way to keep students on track, Dwyer said, is to help them find an activity on campus that keeps them involved.
“If we can get a person one thing, a niche, within that first year to year and a half, that person will be successful.”
Brandimore agreed. “When students feel a sense of belonging to the University, their potential increases substantially.”
Dwyer first came to Saginaw Valley in 1971 as a studentathlete playing basketball. After experiencing SVSU as a campus resident and varsity athlete, he said he feels that his own experiences give him insight into what students today go through. Dwyer has worked at Saginaw Valley since 1980, beginning as an entry-level admissions worker and culminating in his recent promotion. He said that he was “very humbled” to receive the promotion, and is looking forward to building on a “culture of student success” at Saginaw Valley.
Also promoted were Donald Bachand, Jim Muladore and Jill Wetmore.
Bachand, vice president for academic affairs, will become the University’s first provost.
Muladore, vice president for business affairs, will be the executive vice president.
Wetmore, professor of finance, has since assumed her role as dean of the College of Business and Management.