VP Franco finalist for position in Nebraska
Vice President for Student Services Juan Franco is one of five finalists nominated to take an administrative position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Franco, who has served as a Utah State University administrator for three years, said he initially declined the offer, but was persuaded by others to at least look in to the position.
“I am perfectly happy here,” he said. “I love the students.”
Franco will take part in an on-campus interview next week in Nebraska, Jan. 25-26.
If hired by UNL, Franco would serve as the Vice chancellor for student affairs, a position similar in responsibility to his current position at USU.
“They’re probably looking for someone who doesn’t have to learn on the job,” he said. “Someone who is familiar with working in student affairs.”
While Franco has served in several administration capacities, most of which were at New Mexico State University, he said he specifically enjoys working with student affairs because it allows him to see students in a “broader perspective.”
“In the classroom, they are very focused on their academic matters. Outside of the classroom, students are still focused on academics but they are also worried about finances and housing and food,” he said. “For me, having an office in the TSC is ideal. I love just stepping into the hallway.”
But Franco doesn’t just work among the students, he also lives among them, residing in the townhouses in Aggie Village.
“It’s wonderful,” he said. “In the townhouses, you have married students see what they are going through. Many of them have families, children and are working two or three jobs.”
While Franco’s responsibilities would be largely the same if hired at UNL, he said many programs fall under student affairs at UNL that are handled separately at USU – such as the Registrar’s Office.
“They have challenges, one similar to one we have here right now: enrollment,” he said. “That would be my number one priority.”
Franco has been involved with helping USU increase its enrollment and he said already there have been more applications submitted than there were last year. He said one of the major keys to continue improving USU’s enrollment rate is to get the southern Idaho students back.
Franco said the central administration at USU is very supportive of Student Services and has worked very cooperatively to meet student needs.
“Students are on the forefront of this campus and the reason for everything we do,” he said. “I’ve found if you treat [students] with repsect, treat them like adults, they will treat you in kind.”
Other nominees for the UNL position include Don A. Aripoli from Missouri State University, S. Leellen Brigman from the University of Wyoming, Randy E. Hyman fro Ball State University and Marysz P. Rames from South Dakota State University.
-bnelson@cc.usu.edu