Shirley A. Clarkson, director of presidential communications in the Office of University Relations, has joined the Office of Student Affairs as director of planning and communication.
In announcing the appointment last week, Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen A. Hartford said she looks forward to having Clarkson “help us improve our communication with students.
“I promised the students when I came that we would seek better ways to find out their needs and better ways of communicating with them,” she said. “Shirley is very good at that.”
Walt Harrison, executive director of university relations, said Hartford “is very fortunate to have attracted Shirley Clarkson for this position. She will bring the same high level of energy, enthusiasm and creativity to student affairs as she has to presidential communications. And I know how deeply she cares about student life here. She should really be a positive force for students here.”
While in university relations, Clarkson often had contact with students, a part of the job she really enjoyed. “I’m looking forward to more direct work with students and other constituencies on and off campus, to establish relationships with them that will benefit us all.”
Hartford said Clarkson also will help her unit research grant and private support opportunities that would benefit the Office of Student Affairs, and assist the unit in strategic planning activities.
