Hernández named interim vice president of student affairs and dean of students

Myrna Hernández, associate vice president of student affairs and senior associate dean of students, has been named interim vice president of student affairs and dean of students at The College of Wooster, effective July 1. Hernández replaces Scott Brown who is leaving the College to build a consulting practice around student affairs strategy and considering a number of possible future opportunities.

“I am so glad that Dean Hernández will be taking up this important role. She is a superbly skilled and experienced leader, and has made tremendous contributions both at DePauw and Wooster,” said President Sarah Bolton. “Wooster is very fortunate to have such a great student affairs professional, who holds strong commitments to inclusive excellence, as the Interim Vice President and Dean.”

In just one year at Wooster, Hernández was responsible for leading the reorganization of the Dean of Students’ Office to increase the visibility of class deans and broaden communication with the rest of campus. She was instrumental in refining Wooster’s Care Team early intervention program designed to provide critical support to the students who need it most and, most recently, administered our rapid response Student Financial Emergency Funds initiative amid the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.

As Interim Vice President, Dean Hernández will oversee the Dean of Students’ Office, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Longbrake Student Wellness Center, Security and Protective Services (SPS), Residence Life, Lowry Center and Student Activities, and will advise the newly established Scot Council. She will hold the Interim Vice President role at least through the fall semester and serve as a member of the President’s cabinet.

She will work alongside President Bolton to implement key aspects of the “Connect, Create, Discover” strategic plan, including introducing team-based mentoring and launching the new “Life by Design” seminar for sophomores.

Prior to her arrival at Wooster, Dean Hernández spent 13 years in a variety of leadership roles at DePauw University, most recently as Dean of Students. At DePauw, she created strong residential communities through a strategic housing master planning process, established the Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion, improved programmatic offerings and services through assessment of student satisfaction, and served on the DePauw Dialogue steering committee for their annual day dedicated to talking about equity and inclusion.

Previous to DePauw, Hernández served in a variety of residential life roles at both large and mid-size public institutions.

“I am honored to lead the Division of Student Affairs at this important time of change on our campus and in the world around us,” said Hernández. “We remain focused on growing our efforts to engage students in the Wooster community from their first welcome to campus to the lasting connections that provide critical support and celebrate the many successes they will experience over the course of their time with us.”

Posted in News on June 30, 2020.