Grant L. Azdell Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students Randolph-Macon College
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CURRICULUM VITAE Grant L. Azdell Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students Randolph-Macon College PO Box 5005 Business Phone: (804) 752-3789 Ashland, VA 23005 E-mail Address: [email protected] Cell: 804-836-2590 EDUCATION Ph.D. (2010), University of Virginia Major: Higher Education Administration & Leadership Focus Areas: Development, Management & Social Foundations M.Div. (1992), Vanderbilt University Master’s Thesis: “Chemical Addiction & the Spirit: Healing the Whole Person; Mind, Body & Spirit” (Required Reading: VITA Rotation Vanderbilt Medical School) Field Education Honors B.A. (1989), University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College) Dual Major: Political Science/Religious Studies with distinction Montgomery Scholar Participant (2016), Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Institute for Executive Management (IEM) Program Participant (2016-17), American Academic Leadership Institute Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) for Cabinet Officers/Senior Leaders (Presidential preparation program.) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Professor Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia (2011-Present) • Promoted by the President of the College in 2011 – New position includes work listed in role as Dean of Students and the following additional responsibilities. • Promoted to rank of Professor (Administrator with faculty rank) o Teach courses in Leadership, Education and Emergency Management • Currently manage a $3.5 Million budget • Assisted with the funding, design and completion of four major building projects on campus o Brock Commons Student Center Grant L. Azdell – Page 1 of 12 2 o Andrews Residence Facility (120 beds, public use space) o Birdsong Residence Facility (120 beds, classroom space and public use space) o Special Interest Housing (16 bed estate home) • Developed Leadership Minor & curriculum (from certificate program) • Responsible for campus-wide branding opportunities • Increased campus-wide awareness of student outcomes and retention efforts • Supervise assessment efforts for the Student Affairs division & prepared SACS-COC 10-year report. (No Recommendations) • Strategic Planning Committee – Goal Leader & Mission Statement Review Chair • Director of Emergency Management Program and Class Coordinator • Increased campus-wide awareness of crisis communications and emergency procedures • Developed EDGE career program including Boot Camp resulting in 150% increased job placement prior to graduation and 250% increase six-months following graduation. • Responsible for working with Development to secure long-term funding for Student Affairs program and institutional program support. • Responsible for three new Brock Venture Fund Programs in Student Affairs Division (Hired Directors) o Show Choir Program o eSports Program o Equestrian Program (including new $2 million equestrian facility which is an LLC) o All 3 programs have resulted in increase in deposited students (15% increase in 2 years) • Continue to serve as a member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team • Led search committees for the Vice President for Enrollment Services, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, Executive Assistant to the President, and the Executive Director for the EDGE career program. Also served on the Provost search committee. • Assisted with raising over $150 million in grants & gifts to the College o Includes the building or renovation of 15 buildings on campus in 10 years • Chair of the Emergency Response Team • Chair of the Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Team • Physicians Assistant Program team member • DPT exploration committee member • Responsible for all conduct appeal cases (including Title IX hearings) • Responsible for all Disability Services appeals Dean of Students, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia (2008-2011) Senior Student Affairs Officer with a staff of 70 professionals and 42 Para-professionals working within the areas of Recreation (including intramurals, Cheer Leading/Dance Team & Pep Band), Campus Safety, Career Development, Counseling, Chaplain’s Office, Conduct, The Edge Career Program, Orientation, Residence Life & Housing, Student Health Services and Student Life (including Student Activities and Greek Life), Substance Abuse Programs and Wellness programs. • Lead retention efforts as a Co-Chair of the Retention Committee o Helped with increasing freshman-sophomore retention rates 9% in three years (72%- 81%) o Retention rates now average around 85% (freshman-sophomore) Grant L. Azdell - Page 2 of 12 3 • SACS Accreditation Team Member (Successful five-year interim report, no recommendations for my area of responsibility) • Provide staff leadership to Student Affairs Trustee Committee • Provide Strategic Plan initiative coordination for the Student Affairs division (Goals 2 & 3) • Responsible for Parent Orientation and New Student Orientation activities • Member of the President’s Cabinet/Senior Administrator for the college • Developed Campus Emergency Response Team • Developed Campus Behavioral Assessment & Intervention Team • Developed First rendition of Edge Career Program • ICS Instructor for Campus Operations and EMT Class Instructor • Omicron Delta Kappa Faculty Advisor • Developed Leadership Fellows, SERVE program and Service Fellows programs • Supervised the renovation of the Brock Student Recreation workout facility • Founded Randolph-Macon College Emergency Medical Services Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, The University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College) Lynchburg, Virginia (2007 - 2008) Promoted by the President. Supervised and provided direction for 30 professionals and 8 Para- professionals including the Chaplains Office staff, Chief of Campus Security and Safety Officers, the State Licensed EMS Rescue Squad and the Director of Special Leadership Initiatives. Continued to serve on the President’s Cabinet. • Created, implemented and directed the Crisis Management Plan including on-call administration for crisis intervention, psychiatric consults and involuntary custody • Chaired Administrative Judicial Board hearings and the Crisis Management Team • Oversaw Budgeting process for all areas under my supervision • Collaborated with Student and Academic Affairs divisions to provide comprehensive leadership and programming opportunities for campus community • Procured over $700,000 in outside grant funding for institutional use and special projects • Served on the Retention Committee, Campus Master Planning Committee, Board of Trustees Student Development Committee, Student Development Coordinating Team and Staff Advisory Board • Researched and created a Leadership Minor and non-credit Emerging Leaders Program • Served as an Academic Advisor to freshman students • Provided spiritual guidance and support as the College Chaplain • Advised Sigma Nu Fraternity and the LC EMS student groups Instructor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College) Lynchburg, Virginia (2001-2008) • Taught in Religious Studies Department o Religion 102, 104 & Special Topics • Developed a course specifically aimed at “Emerging Leaders” • Fostered a partnership with Lexington Theological Seminary to offer Doctor of Ministry classes on campus (included SACS-COC and ATS accreditation work) Dean of Religious Life, The University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College) Grant L. Azdell - Page 3 of 12 4 Lynchburg, Virginia (2001- 2007) Promoted by the President. Continued to serve as the College Chaplain, and as a member of the President’s cabinet. Developed and implemented the new Crisis Management Plan and Psychiatric/Psychological Response protocols for college. Supervised 11 staff professionals and volunteer Campus Ministers. • Converted the LC EMS Rescue Squad from a private agency to a state licensed agency • Served on multiple search committees including Academic Dean and the President • Member of the Student Development Coordinating Team and the Staff Advisory Board • Authored multiple grants and solicited gifts resulting in new funding sources for college Chaplain & Director of Church Relations, The University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College) Lynchburg, Virginia (1998-2001) Planned and implemented spiritual life programming on campus. Supervised 11 campus ministers and volunteers from the community. Responsible for external relationships and partnerships with local churches and the churches within our affiliated denomination. • Responsible for oversight of pastoral counseling and crisis interventions • Created On-Call Administrator program for campus • Developed and implemented a campus wide program to assist freshman with move-in activities through volunteers from student organizations, faculty and staff • Designed first Cooperative Campus Ministry model for our office and staff. Chief & Executive Director, Lynchburg Life Saving and Rescue Squad Lynchburg, Virginia (1998 – 2008) Served as the Chief to the 3rd oldest all volunteer rescue squad still in operation in the country. Responsible for the administration and oversight of the Rescue/EMS operation within the City of Lynchburg (about 65,000 citizens). Worked with City Officials, Fire Department Personnel and other agencies to ensure open communication and foster positive partnerships. This position was held concurrently with my work at Lynchburg College with the support of my President (Direct Supervisor). • Member of the Emergency Operations Center Response Group • Cultivated, fostered, and