Eric Olsen named interim VP for student affairs

USU President Noelle Cockett has named Eric Olsen as the interim vice president for student affairs, effective Oct. 13, according to a press release from Utah State University.

Olsen will hold the interim position until the completion of a search for a permanent vice president for student affairs. According to the press release, the process for a national search for the position will begin this fall with the goal of having that person on campus by fall 2023. The search will be led by Robert Wagner, the executive vice president of USU.

James Morales, the previous vice president for student affairs, left the university in August. As previously reported by the Statesman, he did not give a reason for his departure, but university spokesperson Amanda DeRito said in an email on Aug. 22 that “President Noelle E. Cockett has decided it is time to make a leadership change in the Division of Student Affairs.”

Olsen has worked at USU since 1998 and has served as the associate vice president for student affairs since 2009.

“Eric knows all aspects of the Division of Student Affairs extremely well and will provide strong leadership and continuity for the essential support and work the division provides students,” Wagner said in the press release.

— darcy.ritchie@usu.edu

Featured photo courtesy of Utah State Today