SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Dr. Michael Phillip Suarez has assumed the position of Associate Dean for Student Services Recruitment and Retention in the School of Educational Leadership and Change (ELC) at Fielding Graduate University, announced Judy Witt, Ph.D., Dean of the School of ELC.
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"Dr. Suarez' approach, skills and abilities will enhance our community," said Witt. "He embodies the values and goals of ELC. He is an important addition to our ELC leadership team."
The newly created position of associate dean compliments the work of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Gloria Willingham, Ph.D. Suarez and Willingham, working with the ELC leadership team, provide direction, support and energy for the university's faculty, students and alumni.
"Suarez brings a very special expertise in student services to Fielding. Reviewing his career, it is evident that Dr. Suarez' extensive experience in this arena is outstanding," said Judy Kuipers, Ph.D. and President of Fielding. Most recently, Dr. Suarez was Regional Project Coordinator for the University of California Office of the President where he oversaw The Puente Project in Southern California. During this time Suarez also served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Education, Policy and Administration at USC's Rossier School of Education where he taught graduate courses preparing students for careers in middle management, leadership and teaching in colleges and universities.
Suarez obtained his Bachelors degree in Political Science from Yale University, and earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies where he completed his Doctoral Dissertation on the topic of "First Generation College Students: The Major Factors that Influence their Recruitment and Retention." He also served as a Student Advisor for the College Honors Program at the University of California, and an Associate Dean in Student Affairs.
Fielding Graduate University was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. Fielding is an accredited, non-profit graduate university offering numerous programs within three schools: Psychology, Human & Organization Development, and Educational Leadership & Change. The Fielding community enables students to participate effectively from anywhere in the world and is dedicated to lifelong learning, social justice and change, as well as innovation in organizations, communities and society. Fielding Graduate University offers one of the leading Community College Leadership programs. For more information, visit online at www.fielding.edu
