Asiah Mendoza
Assistant Editor
The senior director of student services and judicial affairs at the University of Houston-Victoria, Dr. Michael Wilkinson, spoke at a student forum Nov. 16 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
This was one of four forums at A&M-San Antonio that allow students to meet the finalists for the position of associate vice president/dean of students.
Dr. Joni Baker, Title IX coordinator, is serving as the interim dean of students until a new dean is chosen. According to Dr. Adriana Contreras, who is on the hiring committee, a decision is expected to be made by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week.
What is the role of a dean of students?
The dean of students oversees the student experience at a university and provides student support and works closely with the Student Success Center, Campus Police, and academic leaders.
The universities’ job description outlines the primary focus areas for the DOS are student learning and success; closing opportunity gaps; and helping all Texas A&M University-San Antonio students thrive.
The dean of students serves as an advocate for issues that can have an impact on a college student’s life like their living situation, conflicts with other students, a personal problem, health issues or a learning difference or disability.
“One of the most important things that I have learned is that none of this work is possible without you guys ㅡ the students.”
The Mesquite chose the most relevant Q&As and quotes from the forum.
“Has there been a time in your career where you made a difference on an individual level with a student?”
“Those moments are also why I do this job… When you’re student centered, those things happen naturally… I was sharing last night, I just love getting text messages, getting phone calls from former students. They’re telling me about they just had a kid or they’re getting married and they want to invite you to the wedding or they want to update you on big moments of their life. That means to me that you made that impact.”
On getting a full-ride baseball scholarship to the U.S. Air Force Academy:
“I’m a first-generation college student, something I take a lot of pride in. When I had this full ride scholarship to be able to go to the Air Force Academy, it was a big moment in my life… I come from a family with a military background. Both of my parents were in the Army; my grandfather was in the Air Force and was a pilot in World War II. So to get a full-ride scholarship to play the sport that I love but then also carry on that family tradition of serving in the military. At that point in time I wanted to be a pilot just like my grandfather so that was an amazing honor.”
On how he feels about other finalists with more experience:
“That doesn’t scare me one bit. I believe in me. I believe in my ability. I believe what I can bring to you all as students, what I can bring to this campus… I’ve been through a lot and I’ve learned a lot along the way. One of the most important things that I have learned is that none of this work is possible without you guys ㅡ the students.”
Denise Treviño contributed to this story
