Days after Ohio University named Ryan Lombardi its interim vice president for Student Affairs, the former dean of students said he hopes to name an interim for his old job next week.
OU President Roderick McDavis made the announcement of Lombardi’s appointment in an email addressed to the university Friday morning. Lombardi will replace Kent Smith upon completion of a doctoral degree from North Carolina State University in the 2012 Fall Semester, a requirement for the position.
Smith earned $205,842 in his old position.
Lombardi earned $129,502 as dean of students and will earn $150,000 in his new interim position, which officially begins June 1.
“I’m very excited and honored to receive the position, and I look forward to continuing our service to the students at OU in this new role,” he said.
Lombardi said one of his first priorities is appointing an internal candidate to his former position until a formal search begins in the fall.
“It is critical students are involved in the process,” he said. “We will make an internal appointment for throughout the summer.”
Though Lombardi is finished with classes, he is writing his dissertation for a doctorate in higher education and administration.
He was named a finalist for the position earlier this month along with Corey King, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students at Florida Atlantic University, and Brandi Hephner LaBanc, associate vice president for Student Affairs at Northern Illinois University.
“While we had three outstanding finalists for the position, Ryan clearly is the right person to assume the Student Affairs leadership role,” McDavis said in the email. “He has demonstrated that he is a person of great integrity who inspires and motivates students, administrators and staff throughout the division.”
Smith, who announced in January that he would leave May 31 to become the next president of Langston University in Oklahoma, is elated that Lombardi will be his replacement.
“When I found out, it made my day,” Smith said. “It made me feel a lot more comfortable about leaving the university and knowing the students will continue to be served in a great way.”
As for replacing Smith — his close friend — Lombardi is happy for the experience.
“It will be a real treat,” he said. “We worked very closely the past four years, and he has involved me in a lot of the major decisions, so I have a lot to speak from.”
Lombardi’s other top priorities include getting all student office positions filled by making key leadership hires and finishing the strategic plan process, which was on hold during the search.
af234909@ohiou.edu
