11:15 a.m., Dec. 9, 2009----Dawn Thompson, assistant vice president for student life, has been named dean of students/associate vice president for student life, Michael Gilbert, vice president for student life, announced today. Her appointment is effective immediately.

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She replaces George Brelsford, dean of students, who resigned earlier this fall.

“In her tenure as assistant vice president, Dawn has distinguished herself as a talented leader, skilled administrator and strong student advocate,” Gilbert said. “I am confident that the quality and positive impact of Dawn's work in Student Life and with our colleagues and students will only grow in her new role as dean of students.”

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to assist and support students in achieving academic and personal success at the University of Delaware,” Thompson said.

According to Gilbert, several changes were made to the former job description for dean of students and the scope of supervisory responsibility with the new position has been expanded. The dean of students/associate vice president will now supervise the directors associated with Counseling and Student Development, Student Conduct, Residence Life, Housing Assignment Services, Career Services, New Student Orientation and Wellspring. The directors associated with the Center for Black Culture, Student Services for Athletes, Student Health Services and University Student Centers will report to Gilbert.

Gilbert added that the vacant assistant vice president for student life position has been revised to create a new associate dean of students position. That draft job description is currently being reviewed by Human Resources.

Thompson has served as assistant vice president for student life at UD since November 2008. Previously, she was executive director of housing and residence life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to her 11 years at the University of Massachusetts, Thompson also held administrative assignments at Ithaca College, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

She holds a master's degree in student personnel work in higher education from Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration from Wittenberg University.

Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson