Hartwick College Welcomes New Vice President for Student Life

Hartwick College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Meg Nowak to the position of Vice President for Student Life, effective December 1, 2008.
As Vice President for Student Life, Nowak will provide leadership for co-curricular programs and activities that focus on fostering student success. She will be responsible for Residential Life and Housing, Campus Safety, Medical Services, Counseling Services, Wellness Education, Judicial Affairs, Greek Life and Leadership, Student Involvement, Athletics, Civic Engagement, College Chaplain, and Challenge Education.

"Out of a robust group of qualified candidates, Meg Nowak stood out as particularly prepared to cultivate student growth and development" said Hartwick College President Dr. Margaret L. Drugovich. "I am delighted that she will join us."

Nowak currently is the assistant dean for student and academic services in the School of Business at Ithaca College. Nowak has a breadth of experience in student life administration. She previously served as associate director of advisement and transition at the State University of New York at Cortland, assistant dean of students at Cornell University, director of orientation and first year programs at Framingham State College, career planning program coordinator at Youngstown State University, and assistant director of residential services at SUNY Cortland.

With more than 17 years of experience in higher education administration, Nowak is active in several professional associations, including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the National Academic Advising Association, the National Orientation Directors Association, and the American College Personnel Association. She serves on the Advisory Board for AcademyOne. Her presentations and research focus on the development of mid-level student affairs managers and the transfer student experience.
The recipient of a doctorate in higher education administration from Boston College, Nowak received a master's degree in student affairs administration from Indiana State University. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology with concentrations in industrial and organizational behavior and human resource management from the University at Buffalo and an associate's degree in buying and merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to become the Vice President for Student Life at Hartwick College," Nowak said. "The mission of the College and the Office of Student Life at Hartwick-'to foster a learning environment where students have the freedom to explore their own potential as they develop responsible decision-making, leadership, and communication skills and participate in multiple opportunities to gain respect for differing cultures and ideas'-matches my personal philosophies about co-curricular educational experiences and the students' responsibility to actively participate. I sincerely look forward to joining the dynamic and dedicated students, faculty, and staff at Hartwick College as we work together to develop experiential and engaging educational experiences for our students. I also am excited to move to Oneonta and collaborate with the surrounding Oneonta community members to develop partnerships that enhance the student experience on and off campus."