SRU names David Wilmes associate provost for student success
May 31, 2016
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - David Wilmes, dean of student success at Marymount University, has been named associate provost for student success at Slippery Rock University. He will join the University July 11.
In announcing the appointment, SRU President Cheryl Norton said, "I am extremely pleased that David will be joining the University and bringing his student-centric focus to our campus. I have every confidence that his past success and experience will help him to foster fresh ideas and innovative programs, allowing him to create the best possible outcomes for our students and their futures."
WILMES
"I am very excited to be joining SRU," said Wilmes. "It was clear from the students, faculty and staff I had the pleasure of meeting while visiting campus, that the University is a strong community dedicated to student success.
"This position represents an amazing opportunity to help shape the future of the institution and I intend to collaborate closely with faculty and staff to enhance the SRU experience and improve retention and graduation rates.
"Most importantly, I plan on engaging students in this process. They, more than anyone else on the campus, know firsthand the challenges that students face. Their thoughts, ideas and questions will help guide the work we do to ensure that all students can succeed."
In his role with SRU, Wilmes will oversee the student success functions in academic and student affairs, including academic services, residential programming and retention services, programs for special populations and student health and wellness.
"David's career has afforded him multiple opportunities to work closely with faculty, students, administrators and staff," said Amanda Yale, associate provost for enrollment services and head of the APSS search committee. "His diverse experiences as a first-year mentor, residence hall director, academic adviser, career strategies course instructor and parent program co-coordinator will serve SRU and our students well."
At Marymount, Wilmes has served in a trio of roles, including: executive director of career services, dean of career services and professional development and most recently, dean of student success. In his current role, he is responsible for oversight of student conduct, a counseling center, the student health center, the center for career services and student employment. The senior leader in Marymount's division of student affairs, Wilmes oversees the assessment and strategic planning for 14 units with 80 full-time employees and a budget in excess of $3 million.
Prior to his time at Marymount, Wilmes spent six years at The University of Maryland's Smith School of Business, serving in a progressive series of roles - manager of career programming; director of leadership, study abroad and co-curricular programming; and director of student engagement where he was focused on career development, leadership, student involvement and community-building and diversity.
Wilmes has also worked at Goucher College, the University of New Hampshire and Bowling Green State University.
Wilmes is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the National Association of Colleges and Employers and the National Association of International Educators. He has been an active member of numerous university committees.
He earned his doctor of education policy and leadership degree at the University of Maryland where his dissertation was titled: "An Examination of the Impact of Learning Communities on Job/Major Congruence."
Wilmes earned his master's degree in college student personnel at Bowling Green State University and his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Missouri.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu