Lin Crawford fills the position following the removal of Stephen Petersen.By: Kurt Oberreither
– Staff Writer –
On Aug. 2, Linden Crawford began her term as STLCC-Meramec’s interim vice president of student affairs. Crawford is here to fill one of two leadership positions lost last spring.
Following the removal of Stephen Petersen, Ed. D., from the position of vice president of student affairs and the resignation of the campus President Paul Pai, Ed.D., two seats in Meramec’s school board were left vacant. While Zerrie Campbell was named interim president, the VPSA position was left open.
Crawford said VPSA responsibilities were temporarily divided among members of the Student Affairs Council.
“For a short period of time, we were asked to identify three people who were doing parts of this job, and so I was one of those three,” Crawford said.
Vice President of Academic Affairs George Wasson, asked Crawford to fill the position of VPSA. Wasson said her experience in student affairs as a counselor led to her being chosen.
“She had worked closely with other managers in the position,” Wasson said.
Crawford does not know whether or not she will apply for the position but said during her one-year contract, a search will be conducted for an abiding VPSA.
Crawford, who has been involved in counseling for 21 years, said the transition has not been difficult, but that she is still learning.
“Having been here for many years is a great asset,” she said.
Crawford said that the scope of the position is very large. She overlooks many areas and organizations within student affairs including athletics, the Access Office, Student Life and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Crawford said she has had involvement with the smoking policy on campus as well. However, besides the smoking policy, Crawford said there aren’t any significant changes in initialization being considered at the moment.
“We’re trying to continue to move ahead in the areas that we’ve been working.” Crawford said she doesn’t feel that student resources are lacking but that more help for students like Supplemental Instruction would lead to higher student success.
Crawford said she is excited about improving student accomplishment through the Achieving the Dream program and the trio grant Meramec has received that provides additional support for indigent students.
“I see these as opportunities for us to deliver some of the ideas, goals, dreams, strategies and techniques that we’ve come up with over the years,” Crawford said.
While Crawford said she was as shocked as anyone with the sudden removal of Petersen, she is looking forward to the future.
“I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to work with President Campbell. At this point our leadership team is mobilized, energized and ready to tackle the year,” Crawford said.
