University of San Deigo Welcomes New Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs - Dean of Students

Effective January 17, 2007, Dr. Donald R. Godwin will become the new assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and the newest member of the student affairs leadership team. Dr. Godwin emerged from a strong pool as the candidate of choice because of his wealth of experience in the areas of judicial affairs, diversity initiatives and residence life and his ability to articulate a vision for the on-going enhancement of the student experience at the University of San Diego.

With over 15 years in higher education administration, Dr. Godwin comes to
USD from Marywood University in Scranton, PA where he has served as the Dean of Students. Prior to his tenure at Marywood University, Dr. Godwin served as the director of Student Life Diversity Initiatives and the assistant
director of Staff Training and Development for Residence Life at Villanova
University. He began his career in higher education as a Resident Director
and Area Coordinator at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Dr. Godwin's administrative experience is balanced by a commitment to
learning and teaching in the classroom as well. Dr. Godwin has held adjunct
faculty positions at both Villanova University and Marywood University
within the department of Communication. His doctoral dissertation topic was
"Functional Motivations: Recruiting College Students to Perform Community
Service." Given his experience, expertise, and understanding of the student
experience at a Catholic institution, Dr. Godwin is poised to advance the
ambitious agenda of this newly created area within the division of student
affairs.

Dr. Godwin's arrival completes the realignment of the student affairs
leadership team and further positions the division to successfully implement
divisional goals in support of diversity, inclusion, integrated learning and
the university's Strategic Initiatives. As Dean of Students, Dr. Godwin will
also assume responsibility for student discipline.

Dr. Tom Cosgrove will continue as the associate vice president for Student
Affairs, providing leadership for Student Life which includes the Associated
Student government, Student Activities, Student Organizations, Leadership
Development, Campus Recreation, Outdoor Programs, the Hahn University Center and the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The realignment of the student affairs division will advance the development
of programs and services to better support undergraduate, first-year,
transfer, commuter, underrepresented, non-traditional, and graduate
students.

We congratulate and welcome Donald R. Godwin to our campus. Also, please join me in thanking the search committee, chaired by School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Assistant Professor and Director of Leadership Studies, Dr. Cheryl Getz, for demonstrating extraordinary dedication and commitment to this important process.