Rush named dean of students at USI

Dr. Ronald Rochon, provost, has announced the appointment of Dr. S. Bryan Rush as the dean of students at the University of Southern Indiana. Rush currently serves as vice president for Student Services and dean of students at Erskine College in South Carolina, where he also provides leadership in the areas of institutional effectiveness and strategic planning. In addition, he serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services at the University of Georgia. The appointment is effective July 20, 2015.

"I am extremely excited about the appointment of Dr. Bryan Rush," said Rochon. "He brings with him a very strong background in student affairs, and a clear understanding of current best practices involving the Dean of Students Office. He will continue the productive work of supporting our students that his predecessors have done so well."

USI's dean of students reports directly to the associate provost for Student Affairs and serves as a member of the Provost's Council. The dean of students provides leadership and supervision to the Dean of Students Office, Counseling Center and University Health Center; chairs the CARE Team, acts as an advocate for students in the University community and serves as primary advisor to the Student Government Association; and, as part of the Provost's management team, collaborates broadly across the University and with community partners on all matters affecting the student experience.

Rush graduated from Erskine College with a bachelor's degree in history. He served as an admissions counselor at the institution before moving to Athens, Georgia, to enter the Masters of Education Program in college student affairs administrations.

After serving as a complex director in Residence Life at Virginia Tech, Rush returned to the University of Georgia to pursue his doctoral degree in college student affairs administration. After two years as a doctoral intern in Family and Graduate Housing, he transitioned into a position in the Office of Student Conduct. Upon completion of his degree, he was asked to return to Erskine to serve as dean of students.

Rush has served as editor of The Palmetto Practitioner, the professional journal of the South Carolina Student Personnel Association. He has authored several articles and presented on various topics at national and regional conferences. His research interests include supervision, institutional planning and assessment, policy development, and the history of higher education.