The spring semester will begin with Ted Kirkpatrick in the role of senior vice provost of student life and dean of students. He had been serving on an interim basis.
“The quality of life our students enjoy outside the classroom is equally as important as their time in the classroom,” said P.T. Vasudevan, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “In the short time that Ted has served in this role, he has demonstrated that he has the requisite skills and tenacity to address some of the pressing issues that we face. Ted has skillfully navigated many hurdles and has demonstrated that he is a consensus-builder and a strong leader.”
Vasudevan noted that in this role, which oversees Health Services, the Counseling Center, SHARPP, Residential Life and the Office of Community Standards, Kirkpatrick will continue to address the growing array and percentage of mental health issues among students, a growing international student population with new cultural issues, a growing and complex set of federal regulations and the growth of the student body at UNH that has placed pressure on student services and facilities.
“I received unsolicited support and recognition from many in the campus community, including Ted’s direct reports and student body leadership, for the great work Ted was doing,” Vasudevan said. “This more permanent role will allow him to recruit new leadership talent and strengthen the areas under his purview with new methods based on national best practices in student misconduct adjudication, residential life, crisis management, sexual assault services, health and well-being and mental health and psychological services delivery.”
Kirkpatrick has worked with at-risk students at the University of New Hampshire for more than 30 years as associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He also holds an appointment as clinical professor of sociology, earning his Ph.D. in sociology from UNH in 1983.
“I am humbled by the appointment, grateful for the support of the provost and will do my very best to serve the interests of the university,” said Kirkpatrick. “Great challenges await us, but I am confident of our ability to meet them squarely.”
