Ken Holmes resigns from Residential Life

Holmes' replacement remains to be announced by McNish

Associate Dean of Residential Life and Services Ken Holmes resigned from his position three weeks ago. Holmes will be the Director of the Off-Campus College at SUNY Binghampton next school year.

"I've enjoyed being here," Holmes said. "I think where I'm going will be a better fit professionally and where I am in my career."

President Nancy Dye said, "I'm sorry Ken is leaving. At the same time, I think the job in Binghampton is a good opportunity for him." Former Dean of Students Charlene Cole-Newkirk appointed Holmes to the position in Fall of 1995.

Associate Dean of Residential Life and Services Bill Stackman said, "I think it's a loss for the College. I think that he has made significant changes while he has been at Oberlin."

Julia Nieves, Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs, said, "I feel a little bit of two things. I'm very sad to see him go. He's a great boss, a strong leader for our office as well as a number of other offices. I'm excited for him, and I think it's a tremendous opportunity for him."

Joe DiChristina, research assistant to Diana Roose, assistant to the President, will assume a number of Holmes' responsibilities. Recently appointed Acting Dean of Students Deb McNish has not appointed Holmes' replacement.

"I don't have all my responsibilities outlined at the moment," said DiChristina. "She's been speaking to myself and other people." According to DiChristina, he has been offered an undefined position in Residential Life and Services next year. "With Ken leaving and Deb moving, there's some spots open. Where I fit in, it's somewhere in there," DiChristina said.

Holmes worked closely with the Multicultural Research Center (MRC) as Associate Dean of Residential Life. "We still have a lot of work to do in integrating the MRC," Holmes said. "The hard work has been done in stability of the MRC concerning the location and staff." The next challenge will be meeting the needs of students of color in terms of education, according to Holmes.

"Ken has provided a lot of positive support and direction for the MRC," Stackman said.

"I'm going to miss [the MRC]," Holmes said. "They will miss me, but one person does not stop the show." He said the MRC, with McNish, will continue to push forward in the College. "I know they'll do well," Holmes said.

Holmes said he is excited that he will have an opportunity to work on his Ph.D. while he works at Binghampton University.