USU Student Service VP announces move to Neb.
Juan Franco, USU’s vice president for Student Services, will be trading in rocky mountains for rolling plains this summer, after announcing Thursday he has accepted a position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Franco will replace James Griesen as the university’s vice chancellor for student affairs effective July 1.
One of five people to interview for the position, Franco was the only candidate UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman invited back for a second time to Nebraska.
Franco said Perlman offered him the job last week during his second visit, but said he needed time to make his decision.
“It’s been a very difficult decision to make,” Franco said. “That’s why it took me so long. I’m very pleased with my job at Utah State and especially the students and faculty.”
Perlman said Franco emerged from the interviews as the top choice to fill the position.
“I was very impressed with him from the outset,” Perlman said. “I think he is a very good match for our campus. I think he has a passion for student welfare … and a deep concern for the academic success of students.”
Franco, who was named vice president for students services at the end of the 2002-03 school year, has played an important part in the development of the Service-Learning program and the development of the Living and Learning Community.
“Mostly, I think we’ve been able to get Student Services and Academic Affairs to work more as a team,” he said. “That’s something I’m proud of.”
In a prepared statement, USU President Stan Albrecht said Franco’s presence will be missed on campus.
“This is a significant loss for USU,” Albrecht said. “We will miss Juan very much. He has been tirelessly devoted to our students, not only as an administrator and teacher, but as a true gentleman and humanitarian.”
As UNL’s vice chancellor for student affairs, Franco said he will be in charge of more programs than he was at USU, but that many of his responsibilities will be the same.
John DeVilbiss, executive director of public relations for USU, said the position vacated by Franco will likely be filled through a national search which will begin within the coming weeks.
Prior to coming to USU, Franco worked as the liaison between New Mexico State and the New Mexico State Board of Regents as chief of staff.
-acf@cc.usu.edu