A national search for a successor to Lee Wilcox was capped recently with the announcement of William Schafer as Georgia Tech's new vice president of Student Affairs.

Last week, President Wayne Clough received word that Schafer had accepted the position. He will formally join Tech in June, but has plans to visit in the interim for meetings with faculty and students.

Schafer's current employer is the University of Texas at El Paso, where he serves as the associate vice president and dean of students. He has more than 25 years of experience in academia, working in various positions of student life from counseling to residence halls to student conduct. In addition to UTEP, he has held senior administrative positions at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Denver.

At Tech, his role will be comprehensive, touching all aspects of student life. According to its Web site, the Office of Student Affairs "supports and enhances the educational mission of Georgia Tech and assists students … to provide a comprehensive learning environment that fosters intellectual, psychological, social, ethical and career development."

President Clough noted Schafer's experience meshed well with the academic and social environment of Tech.

"When evaluating the committee's recommendation, several things about Bill stood out," he said. "One, his past success working with diverse student bodies prepares him for working at Georgia Tech. Second, he has experience working at a technological university, and his educational background in engineering gives him a unique perspective on the type of students we educate. Finally, Bill was enthusiastic about the opportunity to come to Georgia Tech and will come here ready to make a difference. He will be a strong advocate for our students and a welcome addition to our campus.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to [Dean of Students] Gail DiSabatino for her enthusiasm filling in as the interim vice president of Student Affairs during this transition."

Gary May, executive assistant to the president and chair of the search committee, said no candidate was better qualified to step into the position.

"Dr. Schafer brings an enormous wealth of experience to a key senior administrative position," said May. "He is engaging, has demonstrated an ability to balance the needs of the institution with the desires of its students, and comes highly recommended from those who have worked closest to him. Our search committee believed him to be a superb choice to assume the lead in the office so capably directed by Lee Wilcox. I would like to thank them for their time and energy during the hiring process."

Notes on Bill Schafer, VP of Student Affairs

Current position:
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, University of Texas at El Paso (student body: 18,500)

Education:
Doctoral degree in higher education administration and curriculum, 1986
Master's degree in guidance and counseling, 1977
Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, 1975
(All degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder)