Myrna Hernandez, current Dean of Students and employee of DePauw University for 13 years, will not be returning in the fall. On July 1, Hernandez will serve as the new Associate Vice President and Senior Associate Dean of Students at the College of Wooster. Hernandez is the third high level administrator to leave this semester.
No process is underway to replace Hernandez’s position as Dean of Students, said Vice President of Student Life Alan Hill.
“It [is] a great opportunity for me to take the next step and stretch my professional skills in some different ways and do some different things—I’m really excited,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez’s responsibilities at Wooster will include supervision of the Dean of Students staff, as well as student care and student support, much of which overlaps with the work Hernandez has done at DePauw.
The work done to combine Campus Living Community Development and Fraternity and Sorority Life together in preparation for the Strategic Housing Master Plan acts as a stand-out accomplishment during Hernandez’s time at DePauw.
“I’m sad that I won’t see it built, but I’m excited to see it get started because I really think it’s going to be important for DePauw in the long-term,” Hernandez said.
Over the 13 years Hernandez spent in various positions at DePauw, she has noticed a decrease in open communication,dialogue and building trust within the community. “We just don’t do quite as much of that as when I came here,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez will miss the relationships she fostered throughout her time at DePauw, and she will continue to keep in touch with students and colleagues after her departure.
“That’s the draw to a small campus,” Hernandez said. “It’s the relationships you’re able to build.”