News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA) Jeffrey Waple has made multiple personnel moves to restructure responsibilities within the department as it enters the 2016-17 academic year. The goal of the restructuring was to capitalize on experienced, internal talent and address areas of focus that required greater attention to enhance University retention efforts.

Kara Shustrin has been promoted to associate dean of students/director of student conduct. A 22-year SIUE administrator, Shustrin spent 13 years in residential life before serving nine years in the VCSA office in multiple capacities. Shustrin reports directly to Jim Klenke, associate vice chancellor/dean of students.

“We are capitalizing on Kara’s experience, talent, commitment and institutional knowledge to address critical needs within the University,” Waple said. The critical needs include maintaining an environment that is conducive to the academic mission of the University. This has become increasingly challenging and requires the efforts of several individuals to achieve this goal.

“This appointment gives Dean Klenke the opportunity to engage in a role in which he presently serves and has a passion for - student advocacy,” Waple said. “Jim has had limited time due to the increasingly complex student issues that confront us on a consistent basis. He will continue his role as supervisor to Counseling and Health Services and will monitor SIUE’s compliance with Title IX regarding student issues. Dean Klenke will serve as the student ombudsman, assume a role in student conduct as appropriate, and engage in initiatives that enhance student retention by increasing his availability to students.”

Waple has merged the director of the Morris University Center/Student Success Center with the director of the Kimmel Student Involvement Center. Kelly Jo Karnes has assumed that leadership role. A 16-year higher education veteran, Karnes has served as the director of the Kimmel Student Involvement Center for the past three years and has held leadership roles in student affairs at the University of Iowa, Old Dominion University and the University of Kansas.

“In respect to the state budget crisis, we needed to reduce administrative overhead and improve operational efficiencies,” Waple said. “Bringing two units together to improve student engagement on our campus, under Kelly Jo’s expert direction, will serve this campus and our students extremely well.”   

On August 16, Tarsha Moore joined the VCSA staff as a student program advisor for transition programs and outreach. She completed a master’s in college student personnel administration (CSPA) on Aug.1. She most recently served as the graduate assistant in the VCSA office. Moore will report directly to Shustrin. Retention studies, as well as anecdotal experience, indicate that the University must focus greater “hands on” attention and support for first generation college students in order for them to be successful.  Moore’s responsibilities will include guiding these students to success.

“Tarsha is a great fit for this position with her experience in the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs office,” Waple said. “She is well-versed in institutional process having served on the chancellor’s search committee, had assistantships and practicums in dining, admissions, and in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Dean’s office.”    

In an earlier move during the spring 2016 semester, Dennis Wobbe was named director of Dining Services and will report directly to the VCSA. Dining Services is one of the largest employers of professional and student staff on campus.