Frank Shushok Jr.  has been named vice president for Student Affairs following a national search. He will officially begin on April 10.

Shushok, who has served as interim vice president since October 2019, will lead a division known for facilitating one of the most robust and comprehensive student life experiences in the country, and that was most recently selected by Diverse Issues as a “Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs” for the fourth consecutive year.

Student Affairs at Virginia Tech oversees more than 3,000 faculty, staff, and student employees, over 20 departments, and a number of critical student life programs including dining and residential life, student organizations, counseling, health and well-being, international student services, student conduct, and learning partnerships.

“Virginia Tech has made a gigantic imprint on my life and I cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to my colleagues, President Sands, and Provost Clarke for their confidence in me to lead such a storied division with such talented educators,” said Shushok. “My vocation is the avenue through which I have tried to pay forward the gift of the education I have received. Walking alongside students as they traverse student life is a privilege I do not take for granted.”

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 2009, Shushok is a highly regarded national leader in the student affairs profession. He came to Virginia Tech from Baylor University where he served as dean of Student Learning and Engagement. Before his appointment as interim vice president at Virginia Tech, Shushok served for 10 years as senior associate vice president for Student Affairs.

“While working with Frank over the last several years, I have been impressed with his ability to manage the business and administrative details of our large student affairs division,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke. “In addition, he has demonstrated his commitment to experiential learning and the co-curricular education of students as well as his competency in crisis management. I also value his thoughtful approach to student welfare and his published scholarship on matters pertinent to student affairs.

“I look forward to working with Frank to build on the current strengths of the division and to enhance further the diversity and inclusivity necessary for the support and education of our students.”

In addition to his work at Virginia Tech, Shushok was the executive editor (2013-2018) of About Campus – a national publication that promotes strengthening the student learning experience in higher education. Among his honors, Shushok was named a fellow of the American Council on Education in 2017, a Diamond Honoree by the ACPA — College Student Educators International, and in 2018 received the American College Counseling Association Advocacy for College Counseling Award. Shushok has also been honored by the Association of College and University Housing Officers with its Research and Publication Award.

Shushok received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. He earned his master’s degree from The Ohio State University and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, both land-grant institutions. In addition to his role as vice president for student affairs, Shushok is an associate professor in the higher education graduate program in Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

“I am convinced that the most important moments of our journey will be joining with colleagues and students to discern together how Virginia Tech flourishes to its potential in the next decades,” Shushok said. “This includes increasing the scope of delivery at the university, expanding its access points, championing inclusivity, and ultimately ensuring that student affairs guides all students through experiences, programs and services that promote learning, well-being and growth.”

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