SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Carolyn Perkins, dean of students at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been named associate vice president for student development and dean of students at Wittenberg University effective June 21. Perkins replaces Debbie Heida, who accepted a similar position at Berry College in Mount Berry, Ga., earlier this year.
“Carolyn will be a wonderful addition to our senior administrative staff,” said Interim President Bill Steinbrink. “Not only did she describe herself as a ‘student-centered’ dean, but our student interviewers also responded to her personally with the greatest enthusiasm.”
Highly skilled in the areas of educational administration, conflict resolution and stress management, Perkins brings significant experience to the position. As dean of students at Westminster, Perkins supervised residential life on campus along with all student activities and government, the school’s counseling and volunteer services, its substance-abuse and service-learning programs, and campus ministry. She also oversaw Westminster’s student center operations, served as a liaison for the university’s food services and campus patrol, taught a first-year seminar, and provided resources and emergency services for the school’s 500 residential students.
Prior to joining Westminster in 1997, Perkins served as dean of students at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was involved with strategic planning and crisis management in addition to her student development responsibilities. She also served as associate dean of students at Texas Lutheran University.
Active in the Salt Lake community, Perkins assisted with the 2002 Olympic Winter games as a team leader at the Delta Center, home to the Olympic speed skating and ice skating events, and as a member of the Salt Lake Olympic Committee. She has also made numerous professional presentations on such topics as the changing role of students and parents, stress management and Habitat for Humanity spring break trips.
As the chief advocate for students at Wittenberg, Perkins will advise the president on all essential matters concerning student life. She will also oversee residence life, student activities, multicultural programs, judicial affairs, the health and counseling center, and Greek affairs on campus. In addition, she will work to develop effective relationships with off-campus constituencies, including alumni, parents and community organizations, and she will develop effective plans for co-curricular and extra-curricular programs and services for students. She will also serve on the Enrollment Management Task Force, and, in cooperation with Wittenberg’s new associate vice president for enrollment management, actively participate in student retention efforts.
“I look forward to working with Carolyn,” said Provost Ken Bladh. “Her energy, broad experience and gift for interacting with students will make her a powerful mentor and advocate for Wittenberg students.”
Perkins earned her M.Ed. in educational psychology and her B.S. in secondary English education from Wayne State University. She has also completed class work in educational leadership and policy studies at Iowa State University.
