News

Leaders on campus

Lindsey Sandoval, Nursing Class of 2022, and BOT Amanda DeLaRosa were appointed by the Colorado Department of Higher Education Executive Director Angie Paccione, Ph.D., and Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Executive Director Joe Barela to serve on the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) advisory board.

Matthew Valverde, D.M.A., associate professor of music, was selected as the Title V Cornerstone to Capstone grant director in July. The focus of this grant is to implement the Adams Experience, an innovative undergraduate curricular reform. Valverde has served the campus as the Inclusion and Equity liaison, on the President’s Advisory Group on Equity and with the Community for Inclusion, Equity, Leadership, and Opportunity.

Laura Bruneau, Ph.D., professor of counselor education, co-authored a chapter in the new book, “Bringing Postsecondary Students Together with Dogs: Dog Welfare, Health, Safety, and Liability Considerations.” Bruneau’s chapter, “The Canine-Campus Connection: Roles for Dogs in the Lives of College Students,” is just one of the offerings in the book, edited by Mary Renck Jalongo, Ph.D., a professor emerita from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and which is published by Purdue University Press. The book provides evidence-based guidance on bringing college students and canines together in mutually beneficial ways. Bruneau’s co-author is Amy Johnson, Ed.D., director of the Center for Human Animal Interventions at Oakland University and senior coordinator of continuing education in OU’s School of Nursing.

The Adams State Board of Trustees voted August 13 to retain Trustee Michele Lueck as chair of the board and elected Trustee David Tanberg vice-chair.

At their May meeting, the BOT raised the faculty salary floor to 80 percent of the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) level. Over 70 percent of faculty saw an increase to their base salary, with an average increase of $5,195.

Board of Trustees Update President on NCAA Board

President Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D., has been appointed to the NCAA Division II President’s Council for a six-year term, beginning last summer. She joined other presidents or chancellors from across the nation on the 18-member Council. President Lovell is filling one of the at-large positions. “I am excited and proud to represent Adams State at this national organization.” Student-athletes make up one-third of Adams State’s student body and it makes sense for President Lovell to focus on national organizations and national advocacy groups that represent significant student populations of the campus.

“It is amazing how many know about Adams State University because of our athletic standing, especially our running programs, and I believe we need to be represented at the national level,” she says. According to ncaa.org, the President’s Council is Division II’s highest governance office. Its members are charged with setting the strategic direction for the division in all areas, including its financial affairs and championship administration. The President’s Council is also the primary sponsor of legislative proposals at the NCAA Convention, and the chair of the Council moderates the Division II Business Session at the annual Convention. President Lovell plans on continuing to advocate for the students, as she did on the NCAA Division II Academic Council. “I spoke up with any new policy being introduced to ask how it would impact the student-athlete experience and enhance their ability to earn a degree,” she says. “We have to think from the student-athlete’s experience. They have to do well in the classroom or what they do on the track, on the court, or in the field doesn’t matter.” The Council’s composition is based on a weighted regional representation that includes one president or chancellor per region for every 22 institutions in that region. In addition, two “at-large” positions exist to help achieve diversity of representation and to accommodate independent institutions.

“I think of it as elevating Adams State and moving its name and reputation into the national arena, where it should be,” President Lovell says.

Henry Robinson, Ph.D., named vice president of student affairs

I am very honored to have been appointed to serve as the next vice president of student affairs. I have always valued having a heart for students, and I look forward to providing the leadership essential for student success at Adams State University.”

“We are thrilled Dr. Robinson accepted the offer to become our vice president of student affairs,” said President Lovell. Robinson began this role on July 1, 2021. Robinson has an array of expertise focused on counseling and TRIO-Upward Bound programs, student services educational opportunity programs, and a strong commitment to serving all students, especially firstgeneration students and those from diverse backgrounds. He has an impressive track record of securing federal funding for a variety of programs supporting Youth PreCollege Initiatives, Adult Student Services Initiatives, and Undergraduate Student Success Initiatives. He has spent the last decade at Wayne State University where he developed and led programs and services to ensure college access and fostered student development to nurture student success.

Robinson, a progressive educator, with more than 33 years of higher education experience, is committed to the intellectual development and economic empowerment of diverse communities. Throughout his career Robinson raised millions to provide programs and services for low-income and first-generation students to succeed in life through higher education.

Robinson’s Ph.D. is from Michigan State University, Master of Arts from Ohio State University, and his Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green University. He is also a graduate of the Harvard University management development program, American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Millennium Leadership Institute for Future Presidents and Chancellors, and the National Council for Black American Affairs-Leadership Development Institute. Robinson’s service with community, state, and national organizations includes the Detroit Rotary Club, New Detroit Multicultural Leadership Initiative, Detroit Chamber of Commerce-Detroit Drives Degrees Initiative, Michigan Workforce Development Agency King-ChavezParks Initiative, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps and International Colloquium on Black Males in Higher Education. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Robinson join us as he has a tremendous depth of knowledge and experiences in student affairs administration, student success support systems, and an uncompromising passion for improving students’ lives” said President Lovell.

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