Michael Blackson
Editor-in-Chief

Mr. Jerry Eckert officially announced his retirement from his position as vice president of university advancement after 20 years of service to Millersville University on December 2, 2013.

His absence left a major hole to fill in the administration, especially on the heels of Dr. John Anderson’s Strategic Planning initiative.
In the effort to continue the University’s success in redirecting the campus for the future, Dr. Anderson decided and implemented switches among a couple divisions of the administration.

“Vice President Eckert’s decision to step down from the position he occupied for more than 20 years presented an opportunity to examine organizational models that are used with success at other universities,” said Dr. Anderson, president of Millersville University.

According to an announcement sent out by Dr. Anderson, the following reorganizations of divisions were made effective on February 1, 2014:
The marketing staff is reporting to Mr. Brian Hazlett, vice president for enrollment management. This connection will forge a close alignment in direct support of the University’s strategic enrollment management goals and operation.
The communications staff has become an integral unit within the Office of the President, reporting to Dr. James McCollum, executive deputy to the president/chief of staff.

University development, alumni relations, and special events are reporting to Dr. Aminta Breaux, who is now serving as interim vice president for development and alumni relations, in addition to her current role as vice president for student affairs.
Dr. Anderson consulted with Mr. Eckert and all cabinet officers “regarding their advice on reorganization possibilities,” he said.

“It is not unusual for government relations and communications and media relations to be part of the Office of the President,” continued Dr. Anderson.
The movement of administrative divisions was “very important” as the University’s new path is reaching its end through the Strategic Planning initiative.

“There is no more important client for our marketing staff than the enrollment management division and advancing our enrollment goals (recruitment and retention),” said Dr. Anderson. “Another top marketing priority is building the institutional reputation and external awareness that advances our goal of being a destination institution – an institution of choice for prospective students and talented faculty and staff.”

One division move that Dr. Anderson says would have likely been made – even without Eckert’s retirement – was university marketing reporting to “the newly created Enrollment Management division.”

None of the individual departments and divisions have changed, in regards to their operations and responsibilities. The sole difference will be in who is reporting to whom.

Dr. Anderson hopes that this reorganization will “result in a better alignment of strategic working relationships,” and is set to evaluate the progress of the reorganized divisions in a year’s time.