Lua Hancock named Stetson University's student success provost
Stetson University
September 4, 2010
Dr. Lua Hancock will join Stetson University on Sept. 13 as the assistant provost for student success, a new position through which a Student Success Center will be developed. The new center will bring together a comprehensive array of student services, resources and opportunities for students in every phase of their academic careers.
Hancock has 14 years of experience in both academic and student affairs positions at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and Rollins College in Winter Park. She most recently served as the inaugural director of a Student Success Center at Nova Southeastern.
“Dr. Hancock brings with her a strong background in academic support and campus engagement which will facilitate the seamless learning environment we wish to create for our students,” said Stetson Vice President for Campus Life Rina Tovar.
Hancock will lead the realignment of various student support units into a centralized center focusing on student engagement, support, opportunity and success. She will draw upon national best practices and contemporary research to define and implement the objectives and structure, as well as to assess and enhance the model’s ongoing effectiveness.
“The focus will be on facilitating a seamless and successful transition into and through Stetson, achieving graduation and preparation for a bright future of personal, professional and civic success in a diverse and global society,” said Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Paul, Stetson provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The goal is to maximize the personalized potential of all students by empowering them to design their own path and to connect them with resources and opportunities to support their goals.”
The Student Success model is a joint initiative of the Academic Affairs and Campus Life divisions at Stetson, led by Paul and Tovar.
The center will bring together academic support resources and services, supplemental advising, career counseling and skill development, disability services and testing, initiatives for new students, peer mentoring, campus leadership and involvement initiatives, tutoring and support for engaged learning opportunities. The primary focus will be on undergraduate students. The comprehensive effort will be innovative and individualized and will connect with students in person and online. Staff will work collaboratively with faculty on learning, advising, mentoring and other strategies for supporting student development and success.
“I am honored to join the Stetson community at such an exciting time,” Hancock said. “It is my goal to create individual relationships with students, faculty, staff and administration and listen to their thoughts on how Stetson can best serve students.
“I am passionate about the opportunity for us to work together to create a more seamless and empowering educational environment that will best serve our students. Through their engagement and empowerment, Stetson students will become the leaders of tomorrow and change our communities and the world,” she said.
Hancock earned her undergraduate degree at Rollins College and did her graduate work at Nova Southeastern. Her doctorate is in higher education administration
