After 24 years of service on the Hill, Director of the Office of
Residential Life Alan Hanson is passing the reigns on to his
successor, Suzanne Seplow.
Seplow was appointed director of the Office of Residential Life
Friday following a six month search.
Hanson helped to successfully link academics with dorm life by
creating programs such as Academics in the Commons at Covel and the
cable studio in the De Neve complex that was designed to give
students a crack at television production.
Seplow, who will carry on this legacy, believes the residential
experience has a strong effect on overall student learning and
college success.
“My vision for residential life is to continue to create
safe, supportive, engaging and inclusive communities,” she
said.
The search committee, chaired by the assistant vice chancellor
for student affairs administration, consisted of ten members
including undergraduate and graduate student representatives.
The committee reported to Assistant Vice Chancellor Robert
Naples, who made the selection from a group of five candidates.
“She was an outstanding candidate (and) has done an
outstanding job for the university for seven years,” Naples
said. “It was an excellent pool and a very close
call.”
Matt Kaczmardk, the undergraduate representative on the search
committee said, “She has visions of where the office will go
and demonstrated a lot of experience, especially on construction
issues.”
Seplow said the goal of the Office of Residential Life is to
create living and learning experiences for residents. ORL manages
resident assistants, program assistants and floor governments.
Seplow acknowledges that her first several months on the job are
going to be about learning.
“I value the concept of learning and I believe I can learn
from all those around me,” she said.
Prior to being appointed as director, Seplow was the South Area
director for ORL, and oversaw Dykstra and De Neve residence halls
as well as the Hilgard houses. She also created and coordinated the
emergency response system.
Additionally, Seplow chaired the ORL Safety and Security
Education Committee.
Last year, Seplow earned her doctorate in education at UCLA.
Seplow will work with Hanson for the next six weeks to
transition into the director position. She will assume full-time
duties in mid to late December, once students have left the
residence halls for winter break.
In addition to taking advice from Hanson, Seplow also values
input from students and faculty.
“I think it is really important for me to hear from the
staff in terms of what their hopes and desires are,” she
said.
Seplow gives the credit for her new role to the teamwork that is
displayed among the members of ORL. “I believe my success in
being appointed to this position has had a great deal to do with
the faculty, staff and students, and the lessons they have taught
me.”