As we come to the end of the fall semester, it is a pleasure to voice our full support in the selection of a new vice president of student affairs who has the competence and the experience to lead.
Associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students Henry Kirby brings a deep connection to FAMU as an administrator.
We are confident he will remain passionate about nurturing the sense of community that makes FAMU a place like none other for those who live, learn and work here.
Kirby was one of three finalists interviewed for the vacant position, formerly held by Roland Gaines. Timothy Beard vice president of student development and enrollment management at Pasco-Hernando Community College and Cherese Peters, associate vice president of enrollment services at Georgia State University are the other two finalists. Kirby offers a unique blend of expertise at the university and familiarity with broader issues in student life administration, a combination that will be well-suited to building on our traditional strengths while exploring new ideas at the same time.
Examining Kirby’s resume, it is clear he brings a wealth of experience to this role. His background in implementing student programs and his commitment to shared governance and open dialogue will enrich our campus life.
Kirby has helped to foster an environment that provides our students with a unique opportunity to as social beings through vehicles of social justice and community service.
With a record like this, Kirby stands head and shoulders above anyone seeking this post in terms of experience, institutional knowledge and responsiveness to the student body.
In 2007 it was a faction of student leaders, not unlike this group, who threw support behind the best candidate for 10th university president, James Ammons.
Those student leaders were correct then and are correct now, in recommending Kirby for the position of vice president of student affairs.
(Vincent Evans: president, College Democrats, Ashley Nelson: former SGA chief of staff, Dion Peeples: former senior class president, Jose Sanabria: former student justice, Kashif Smiley: SGA chief justice and Alger Studstill: president, Student National Alumni Association all contributed to this op-ed).