Hugh Kellenberger
Editor-in-Chief
Cindy Wallace has taken over the position of interim vice chancellor
for student development, Appalachian State University Chancellor
Kenneth E. Peacock announced Friday in a news release.
“Ken Peacock talked with me about this being a possibility.
It wasn’t something I had really considered before,”
Wallace said.
“My whole 20 years here I have worked in academic affairs,
and reported up through the provost office. I think what Chancellor
Peacock saw is that so many of the programs are done together [with
the office of student development and academic affairs].”
She replaces Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, who was named vice president
for student affairs at Rutgers University earlier this month.
“I am very confident that Ms. Wallace will provide the leadership
we need during this interim period,” Peacock said in a statement.
Previously Wallace was associate vice chancellor for enrollment
services. She received that position last July, after spending a
year as the interim administrator in that position.
Wallace has met with the rest of the office of student development,
to discuss what changes need to be made and what are the office’s
goals.
“The thing we decided that we all were very excited about
was the change,” Wallace said.
“We need to ask ourselves if we are putting students first
in all we do and the second is quality in all that we do. Are we
doing some things extraordinary well, and perhaps some things not
as well? Should we continue doing those?”
She came to Appalachian in 1984 as coordinator of Appalachian State’s
special services program. She also directed the Learning Assistance
Program for five years.
Wallace has been a dedicated member of the freshman seminar program
since its inception in 1987. She will continue to teach a freshmen
seminar class and co-teach a learning community course with Dr.
James F. Barnes, a professor in the political science department.
She co-authored an instructor’s manual to accompany the textbook
“P.O.W.E.R. Learning: Strategies for Success in College and
Life.” McGraw-Hill Publications published the manual.
Wallace possesses a bachelor’s degree in history and English
from Baylor University, as well as master’s degree in teaching
and history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Prior to joining Appalachian State, Wallace was the assistant director
of the Liberal Arts Advising Center at the University of Tennessee
at Knoxville.
She has not yet decided whether or not to pursue the permanent position.
“My plate is very full, with one trying to finish up some
really important things with enrollment services and I have a great
deal to learn and a lot of respect for these folks,” Wallace
said.
Blimling’s new position at Rutgers will put him in charge
of 50,000 undergraduate students on three campuses.
A 20-member committee of deans, faculty, administrators and students
following a nine-month national search selected him.
“I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve
Appalachian as vice chancellor for student development for the past
14 years,” Blimling said.
“I have worked with three outstanding chancellors-Chancellor
Thomas, Chancellor Borkowski and Chancellor Durham. Each of these
men put the interests of students first and worked tirelessly to
help make Appalachian the fine institution it is today. The student
development professionals at Appalachian are among the best I have
encountered in more than 30 years in the field. They are dedicated,
caring and compassionate educators who made me proud every day I
worked with them. I could not have asked to work with a better group
of students; they are bright, creative and involved. It has been
a privilege to work at Appalachian, and I will miss being here.”
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