People news: SUNY Oswego hires VP for student affairs

OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego has announced the hiring of Kathleen Kerr as its new VP for students affairs, joining the school’s senior leadership team.

She will begin her duties at SUNY Oswego on Aug. 1, the university said.

Kerr is replacing Jerri Howland in that role. Howland departed SUNY Oswego in May for a new post at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Wayne Westervelt, chief communication officer at SUNY Oswego, tells CNYBJ in an email.

Kerr comes to SUNY Oswego from the University of Delaware, where she most recently served as the associate VP for student life. In that position, she oversaw seven functional areas within student affairs, serving as an advocate for the student experience and committed to student success, student-learning and data-informed decision-making – all while focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive community for all students.

As SUNY Oswego’s chief student affairs officer, Kerr will serve as a member of the president’s council; oversee auxiliary services, campus life, counseling services, health services, intercollegiate athletics, residence life and housing, and student conduct; and provide leadership to plan, develop and advance a vision for the division of student affairs while also “strengthening collaborations across campus boundaries,” SUNY Oswego said.

Her time at Delaware has spanned three decades. Initially hired as an assistant area coordinator, she advanced to director of residence life for programs and student leadership, and then director of residence life prior to becoming executive director of residence life and housing.