Effective July 1, Dr. Wallace Southerland III has been named ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s Vice President of Student Affairs. In his new role, Southerland will be responsible for developing and advancing the student experience on ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s campus.
Southerland has more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, and he comes to ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ after serving as Special Assistant to the President at Michigan Technological University (MTU), where he researched and recommended global campus strategies for promoting student success and engagement.
Also effective July 1, Todd Ray has been named Chief Human Resources Officer, replacing longtime ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator Diane Lane. Ray will serve as the lead Human Resources officer, advisor and strategic partner to ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s administration.
Ray is originally from Decatur and has deep family connections with ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½. Ray’s grandfather worked in the Maintenance Department, and he recently had two nieces become Big Blue graduates. Ray has more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources and comes to ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ after serving as the Vice President of Human Resources at Decatur Foundry, Inc.
Meg Richtman has been named ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing & Communications, effective Sept. 1. She has served as a Marketing Consultant at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ since June and worked closely with the Marketing team and campus leadership. Richtman will oversee the development of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s strategic marketing and enrollment plans, including outreach and advertising to attract and recruit students, and work collaboratively with the campus leadership to strengthen internal and external communications.
Richtman has over 25 years of experience in higher education leadership and last served as the Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Communications at Iowa Wesleyan University, where she also previously held the positions of Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations. 
In addition, Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s Director of Nursing and Associate Professor, has been appointed Interim Dean of the College of Professional Studies at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University, effective July 1, 2023.
In the College of Fine Arts, Jessa Wilcoxen, Director and Associate Professor of the School of Art and Creative Media, was also appointed Interim Dean. She is taking the place of Laura Ledford, who will now serve as ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s Director of International Programs/Partnerships.
