Timothy Alvarez, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been named vice president for student affairs at North Dakota State University. His appointment is effective June 16.
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.
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani credits Alvarez for his broad experience, exceptional work with students and notable experience in enrollment management. "Dr. Alvarez is broadly recognized at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as the go-to administrator for getting things done," he said. “He has a positive reputation in regional and national leadership in professional organizations, experience as an advocate successfully resolving student concerns and a breadth of experience at both community colleges and the university level.”
Student President Robbie Lauf said he is pleased with the selection. “NDSU’s student government is excited to work with Dr. Alvarez. We couldn’t have been more impressed with his commitment to furthering our student-focused institution.”
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 to 2007, after serving as academic adviser and 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.
He is active in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and has served on the Nebraska Community College Association Diversity Task force, and has been a member of the National Community College Hispanic Council, the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, the American College Personnel Association, and the National Academic Advising Association.
Alvarez said he is humbled by the opportunity. “The student affairs division at NDSU is highly regarded regionally and nationally. The students I have met were equally impressive, well informed and passionately engaged on campus. I fully expect to carry on that tradition, as well as be a catalyst for continued excellence,” he said. “This is a promising time to join NDSU and I look forward to this extraordinary opportunity. I believe we can serve the institution’s land-grant mission through serving students.”
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.