Melissa Shivers, associate vice chancellor for student life and dean of students, has been named the next vice president for student life at the University of Iowa.
Shivers, who first joined the university in 2010 as assistant vice chancellor for student life, will begin her new job in Iowa on June 30.
“We are delighted for Melissa as this is a wonderful opportunity for her,” said Vince Carilli, vice chancellor for student life. “While we are saddened to see her leave Rocky Top, we are equally excited to see her fulfill her dream. She will be a phenomenal chief student affairs officer, and Iowa is lucky to have a professional of her caliber on their executive team.”
Serving as the dean of students since 2014, the Office of the Dean of Students oversees the Student Government Association, the Office of Multicultural Student Life, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, the Center for Leadership and Service, the Center for Student Engagement, the Office of Student Media, the Pride Center, the Center for Career Development, New Student and Family Programs, and Off-Campus and Commuter Services.
Shivers has worked with campus academic partners and student life colleagues on efforts to position the university among the Top 25 public institutions in the country. She collaborated with campus partners to launch several major initiatives to engage students, including the Lunch Hours program, the Student Honorary Coach program, Vol Walks and Talks, Big Orange Meal Share, and Rocky Top Roundtable.
The Division of Student Life will take some time to reimagine how best to serve students with conversations starting earlier this week.