It's still about the students, with Dr. Miller leaving

The chancellor announced today how we'll handle the transition when Dr. Chris Miller departs this summer as vice chancellor of student affairs and administrative services. Two senior administrators, Steve Chrans and Marya Leatherwood, will become "interim assistant chancellors" and basically run Student Affairs while we search for a new vice chancellor. While this is big news on the UIS campus, it will be less than big news to some of our constituents and students. My hope is that our students, who are always our number one priority, will feel no glitches and that they continue to enjoy their educational and developmental experiences to the fullest. A few people posted comments about Dr. Miller's departure after a previous post about this issue.

Chris Miller heading to Marquette

Dr. Chris Miller is leaving UIS to become vice president for student affairs at Marquette University. UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen made the announcement today, and Marquette made its own announcement as well. Dr. Miller is one of only two vice chancellors at UIS (the other is Provost Berman); but that is just one reason his departure is so significant. The chancellor called it a personal loss. I feel the same way. It's something that happens in professional careers: Good people and friends move on for better opportunities, and we wish them well. We want nothing but the best for them and their families. My main feeling now is that it's perfectly OK, and natural, and healthy, to pause and reflect on how good friends and colleagues enrich our own lives. That's what I'm doing today.

And then life goes on, in a slightly altered world.