The appointment of Ed Willis as the new dean of students completes a team that will enhance student services at the University.
Joining Willis, who comes to U-M from a similar position at the University of Toledo, is Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, newly appointed as associate dean of students, and a new slate of directors in various areas of student services:
- Robert Holmes, ombudsman
- Loren Rullman, director, University Unions
- Todd Sevig, director, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Kelly Cichy, director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC)
- Monita Thompson, co-director, Intergroup Relations, Conflict and Community (IGRCC)
“We have worked very hard in recent months to assemble a group of highly experienced and talented people who will focus on broadening and enhancing our ability to help students get the most from their time with us at Michigan,” says E. Royster Harper, vice president for student affairs. “Ed and Stephanie will work closely together, supported by our new group of student services directors to enhance the lives of our students outside the classroom. With this team in place, we’re ready to take our efforts to a new level.”
Willis, a New Jersey native, has 24 years of student affairs experience, working at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, North Carolina A & T State University and The University of Toledo. His range of experience includes multicultural student affairs, Greek life, student judicial affairs, orientation, women’s center, veteran’s affairs, student unions, student activities, leadership programs, career services, student development and tutorial services. He has a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, a master’s degree in education from Rutgers and is a Ph.D. candidate at Toledo.
Willis says that his most striking impressions during his first few weeks on campus are the warm and welcoming atmosphere and the diversity of the University community.
“It feels as though people really want to be here,” he says. Willis sees his broad experience in all aspects of student affairs as the key strength he brings to his new job. “I think it’s a good fit in this very complex environment,” he says.
Willis says he is known for wearing out pairs of shoes walking around the campuses where he has worked, meeting students and addressing their needs first hand. Beyond getting to know people and the workings of the University, Willis says he will take a close look at staffing and structure in his office. “I want to make sure we have the resources, human and otherwise, to serve the needs of our students.”
Pinder-Amaker received a bachelor of science degree with honors in psychology from Duke University. After completing a pre-doctoral internship at the Yale University School of Medicine, she received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University. Pinder-Amaker has extensive teaching and clinical experience. Since Jan. 2002, she has provided support and coordination for critical student incidents at U-M.
“This is a wonderful opportunity, and I am proud and excited to be joining such an excellent team,” says Pinder-Amaker. In her new position, she will supervise the specialized services portfolio, which includes CAPS, SAPAC and Services for Students with Disabilities.
“There’s a lot of overlap in my professional training in these areas,” she says, “especially my clinical training and experience. I’ve also worked full time as a tenured faculty member, which links me with that aspect of a student’s life. And having already been on campus for a year, I’ve been able to build relationships that are important to my new work.”
Holmes has a long history of service at U-M, including positions as director of human resource development, executive adviser for M-Quality and assistant vice president for academic affairs.
Rullman comes to U-M from Southeast Missouri State University, where he was assistant vice president for enrollment management and director of student auxiliary services.
Sevig moves into the director’s position at CAPS from his role as senior assistant director for clinical services there. He also has worked with IGRCC and has taught classes in that program and in the Department of Psychology.
Cichy, who took over the directorship of SAPAC earlier this summer, came to U-M from The Women’s Center in Carbondale, Ill., where she worked for more than 12 years as a volunteer board member, rape crisis volunteer, sexual assault program coordinator and executive director.
Thompson has been with IGRCC since 1993 as a facilitator, research assistant, trainer and associate director.
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