The NDSU vice president for student affairs search committee has selected three candidates for campus visits. Open forums are scheduled Jan. 24-29.
Friday, Jan. 24: Timothy Alvarez, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tuesday, Jan. 28: Eugene Zdziarski, vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Roanoke College
Wednesday, Jan. 29: CJ Woods, associate vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M University
All open forums are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a 30-minute meet and greet in the Memorial Union Century Theater. All employees and students are welcome to attend.
The new vice president for student affairs will succeed Prakash Mathew, who is retiring at the end of the academic year. The position provides leadership and vision in creating a campus culture that advocates for and promotes the academic achievement and personal development of all students; fosters collaborative relationships among students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater community; and is a key leader in providing a safe, welcoming and educationally supportive campus environment for students and guests.
Timothy Alvarez
Alvarez has served in his current role since 2007, in addition to being an assistant professor of practice and graduate faculty associate. He previously was interim director of the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services and the Culture Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Alvarez was vice president of student services at Western Nebraska Community College from 1999-2007 after serving as academic adviser/coordinator of minority students and assistant director of admissions at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He earned an associate degree in arts from Western Nebraska Community College in 1979, a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Bellevue University in 1990, a master’s degree in education from Chadron State College in 1993 and a doctorate in educational administration from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1999.
Eugene Zdziarski
Zdziarski has been at Roanoke College since 2008. Previously, he was assistant vice president and dean of students at the University of Florida. He also held several roles at Texas A&M University, including associate director of student life, coordinator of the Student Conflict Resolution Center, coordinator of student judicial programs and coordinator of residence life.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University in 1983, a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee in 1986 and a doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M in 2001.
CJ Woods
Woods has served in his current role since 2011. Previously, he was assistant vice president for student affairs from 2009-11 and director of multicultural services from 2006-09 at Texas A&M. He also served as coordinator of judicial services, director of the Office of Diversity Programs and was student services specialist of minority student affairs at Western Kentucky University.
Woods earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993, master’s degree in counseling and student development from George Mason University in 1995 and doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Louisville in 2011.
Search committee
President Dean L. Bresciani selected JoAnn Miller, University Distinguished Professor of music, to chair the search committee. Other members are:
- Jane Schuh, assistant dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources
- Kate Haugen, associate vice president of Student Affairs
- Michael Harwood, assistant dean of student life
- Colleen Heimstead, associate athletic director for compliance
- Cynthia Rott, budget director for Finance and Administration
- Aida Martinez-Freeman, director of TRIO Programs and project director for Student Support Services
- Jakelle Cornell, director of events and programs for the NDSU Alumni Association
- Robbie Lauf, student body president
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.