After launching a national search in May and assessing applicants for two months, Ohio University named its new director of University Judiciaries.
Christopher Harris, who spent the last five years as Penn State's assistant director for judicial affairs, was offered the job in late July after beating out 49 other applicants. Harris will earn $62,000 - $5,487 more than his predecessor Jim Sand, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said.
Sand ended his two-and-a-half year stint with University Judiciaries this past spring when he returned to Residential Housing as the director of East Green.
Lombardi said he is pleased with the search overall, adding Harris' experience definitely separated him from the other three finalists who were brought to Athens for interviews during the summer.
He's got great experience
Lombardi said. It just seemed like he could really hit the ground running here.
Harris, who officially started Aug. 23, said he was attracted to OU because it was close in size to his former employer and also fit his needs personally.
I have a family; I wanted to work in a community that was family friendly - a smaller community Harris said.
Coming from Penn State, Harris is familiar with some of the difficulties that come from running an office at a large university. He said communication at every level is something he wants to focus on right away.
For me the biggest priority is really being a little bit more proactive
get out and talk to students
parents and faculty about what we do
Harris said. I think a lot of times there is misinformation about what folks in student conduct do. ... We want to get that word out as best as we can.
Both Harris and Lombardi said the transition from Penn State to OU has gone smoothly so far.
Usually what you see is a period where they really have to sit back and learn a lot and get used to things ... (University Judiciaries) really hasn't skipped a beat
Lombardi said.
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Pat Holmes
