WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) have announced changes in the student services and athletics departments.
The changes will utilize a team approach in meeting the demands of an active athletic department while creating a greater focus on enrollment management, they explained.
Effective Wednesday, July 1, Paula Wiedemann will assume the role of athletic director. She will continue her duties as head coach of the Grizzly Volleyball program, as well.
Wiedemann will be joined by other members of the MSU-WP campus staff in handling varying aspects of game management, promotion and fan relations, officials said. An athletic management team will be named in the near future, they added.
Dr. Angela Totty, who has served as athletic director since she was hired as dean of student services in 2014, will enhance her focus on an expanded student services department to address nationwide changes in college enrollment.
“For the last few years, there has been a nationwide trend showing enrollment decreases in higher education. Future projections show that trend continuing for years to come. We must meet this challenge now by doing everything we can to maintain recruitment and student support efforts,” Chancellor Shirley Lawler said.
“These changes will allow Dr. Totty to focus more of her time on student services and enrollment management, including recruitment and retention,” Lawler explained.
“We also are moving Veterans Services and TRiO Student Support Services under Dr. Totty’s area to make the student services department a more comprehensive set of offices designed to assist students and enable them to reach their educational goals,” the chancellor added.
These changes have been in the works for some time, Lawler said.
“Since this change started on my tenure, I wanted to see it through before I left,” she said. “I did discuss it with Dr. Dennis Lancaster since he will be taking over as chancellor on July 1. We both think this move will position Missouri State-West Plains to see continued success in both the athletics and student services areas.”
Moving a head coach into the athletic director role is not unprecedented among two-year college athletic programs, Lawler stressed.
“A head coach serving as athletic director is a model used at many other institutions, and we thought we had a good fit with Paula and her 23-year history with the Grizzly Athletics program,” Lawler said. “She also is very knowledgeable of the duties for this position.”
Wiedemann was hired as assistant coach of the Grizzly Volleyball program in 1997. She took over the reins as head coach in 2009.
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