After an extensive interviewing process, three candidates remain for the position of Vice President of Student Life. The Vice President of Student Life would be in charge of overseeing, Career Services, the Center for Multicultural Education, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, Gender and Sexuality Services, Maucker Union, Military and Veteran Student Support, Student Accessibility Services, Student Employment, Student Health Clinic, Student Involvement and Event Services, Student Wellness Services and Recreation Services. The university plans to move the housing and dining portfolio into the Student Life division in 2023. Meet the final three candidates below. 

Heather Harbach

Heather Harback, Ed.D. has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Higher Education Leadership, as well as a Master of Science in Counseling Student personnel and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

She currently works at Edgewood College as the Vice President for Student Development. 

She has also worked as the Associate Dean of Students and Neighborhood Relations Liaison for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

She also served as Residence Hall Coordinator, Director, Residence Director and Hall Director for various other colleges.

Some of Harbach’s notable achievements include, “Improvements in student conduct processes and procedures, increased compliance and advocacy for sexual violence processes/Title IX procedures, and increased dedicated student spaces on campus including the first Queer Student Center and Multicultural Student Lounge.”

Javier Flores

Javier Flores Accomplished Chief Academic and Student Affairs Administrator with over two decades of experience. He has a Bachelors from Texas tech University in Political Science and Spanish, a masters in Educational Management and Development, and an Ed.D from Texas Tech University in Administration of Higher Education.

He currently works at the Flores Higher Learning Consulting Firm which assists institutions in preparing for the accreditation process and assisting institutions in developing strategies that lead to an increase in enrollment, retention, and graduation rates among first generation students.

Some of Flores’ accomplishments include, “Securing funding for three Hispanic Serving Institution grants of a total amount of over 10 million dollars,” and “leading negotiations with the food service contract resulting in a substantial donation and the construction of a Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Subway, and Einstein Brothers Bagel on campus.”

Lyn Redington

Lyn Redington holds a Bachelors of Science in sociology and a Masters of Science in Professional Studies in Higher Education from Iowa State University. She also earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

She currently works as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for Idaho State University. She has also served as the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students for the University of Northern Iowa, was the Director of Residence Life and Associate Director of Residence/Housingfor UNI, as well as Residence Coordinator for three other colleges.

Some of her notable accomplishments in this position include increasing enrollment and retention, coordinating the COVID-19 response and “implementing a staff recruitment, hiring, and salary protocol to ensure a commitment to diverse hiring and retention practices.”