By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu
Rodney D. Bennett, the dean of students at Winthrop University in South Carolina, has been  chosen to be dean of students at UGA--a new position designed to work actively on behalf of students.
Bennett was selected from among four finalists for the position, which was created last year by Richard Mullendore, vice president for student affairs. His appointment is effective July 1 pending approval by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
Mullendore created the position as part of a reorganization of the student affairs division. Bennett’s responsibilities will include oversight of UGA’s judicial programs, leadership programs, minority services programs and fraternities and sororities. In addition to his management duties, Bennett will work closely with students as an adviser and advocate, Mullendore says.
“I am certain that Dr. Bennett will be spending considerable time interacting with students on a daily basis, and that students will see this office as one that will advocate for them,” Mullendore says. “This office won’t be just another administrative layer in the university. It will be an office that is student-centered and will support many student-focused initiatives.”
Bennett has been dean of students at Winthrop, in Rock Hill, S.C., since July of 1998. He supervised a 19-person staff that was responsible for such programs as the student government association, the student union, student judicial affairs, career services, student leadership activities, student publications, student organizations, recreational sports, multicultural student life and Greek life.
Bennett is active in several professional organizations, including the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, for which he served as a conference program chair. He has also made presentations at a number of professional conferences.
Bennett received a doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision from Tennessee State University and a specialist in education degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He also holds a master of education degree and a bachelor’s in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State.
This summer, he will participate in the Management Development Program at the Harvard University Institutes for Higher Education. |
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