Student success in hands of Kansan

New vice provost to oversee reorganized student affairs division

Marlesa Roney is returning to her home state to become vice provost for student success at Kansas University.

The Concordia native was named to the post Wednesday. She has served as vice president of student affairs at the University of Akron since 2000.

“I am extremely pleased to have this opportunity to return to the great state of Kansas,” Roney said in a news release. “But I am even more pleased to continue to pursue my passion of focusing on student success at such an outstanding institution.”

Roney, who begins June 23, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Roney has three degrees from Kansas State University — bachelor’s degrees in psychology and elementary education, and a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services. She has a doctorate in student personnel administration from Purdue University.

Before working at the University of Akron, where she oversees 13 departments for 24,100 students, Roney served six years as registrar at Purdue and three years as senior project officer for a $5 million retention program funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc.

KU renamed and reorganized its student affairs division in December after a task force report indicated student service departments needed to work more closely with one another on areas such as recruiting and retaining students.

Seven new departments were added to the newly named student success division, including the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, Office of New Student Orientation and the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center.

David Ambler had the student affairs position for 25 years before retiring last summer. Mary Lee Hummert, a professor of communication studies, had it on an interim basis this academic year.

Lindy Eakin, a vice provost who served on the search committee, said Roney seemed to have the qualifications and understanding for the post.

“She struck us as someone who could come and get things done,” he said.

He said creating the new division would be Roney’s first task.

“We’re forming something new,” Eakin said. “That always takes some organization and focus.”

Marlesa Roney, new vice provost for student success, will oversee the following Kansas University departments:KU Memorial Unions, Student Health Services, Student Housing, Student Financial Aid and the Department of Student Life. The student life department includes Recreation Services, Legal Services for Students, Hilltop Child Development Center, Services for Students with Disabilities, University Career and Employment Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Multicultural Affairs, the Student Development Center, Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center, Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center, and the University Information Center. Academic Services includes Admissions and Scholarships, New Student Orientation, the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center, the University Registrar, the Writing Center and Academic Technology Services.