The Division of Student Affairs has named Linda Newman director of University Housing. She had served as interim director since September 2008.
Newman joined University Housing in 2006 as senior associate director for Community Living, providing oversight for residence education, Northwood Community Apartments, facilities management, security and housing technology. She also provided direction for assessment and evaluation efforts. As interim director, she led all aspects of University Housing including budget development, long range and strategic planning, key personnel hiring, facility and capital improvements, and strategic work with academic and administrative partners to advance students’ residential experience at U-M.
“Linda has demonstrated the vision and leadership skills to steward this important operation of the University,” says Loren Rullman, associate vice president for Student Affairs. “Her vision for student success and the role of living environments in students’ development and education are appreciated by her colleagues and by students.”
She has experience in university housing at three public universities over a 25 year period. Before coming to U-M, Newman served Bowling Green State University as director of Residence Life and University Dining Services, and later as assistant vice president for Student Affairs. Prior to her decade at BGSU she worked in various university housing roles at the University of South Carolina, and at Middlesex University in England. Throughout her career she has managed virtually every aspect of university housing — educational programs, facilities, safety, human resources, auxiliary services, crises response and financial operations.
Newman earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Warwick (England) and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina.
Dedicated to creating and sustaining diverse learning-centered communities, University Housing provides campus living and residential dining to more than 9,500 undergraduate students and more than 1,200 graduate students at U-M, including student family housing. Professional staff and student employees serve resident students in a variety of responsibilities including residence education, security, academic and technology support, facilities maintenance, food services and housing assignments.
