The Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leadership is welcoming Katie Wilson back to Miami University as senior director of student engagement. Wilson, who attended Miami to receive her master's degree in education, said she is grateful to return to the university as an employee.
"It was a great opportunity to return to Miami," Wilson said.
April Robles, director of the Cliff Alexander Office, said she is excited about Wilson's employment.
"Having her as a part of the team will be really beneficial for the student engagement at Miami within fraternities, sororities and every other student organization," Robles said. "It will be great to put President Hodge's goals towards an engaged university at the forefront."
Wilson said her previous job as director of student engagement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will be useful as she settles in at Miami.
"I worked with leadership development, community service programs, student organizations, student activities and fraternity and sorority life," Wilson said.
According to Wilson, her position requires her to interact with Associated Student Government, Program Board, After Dark and Campus Activities council, as well as fraternities and sororities and their governing councils.
The title of director of student engagement is not new to Miami, however, Wilson said the position is based on a previous one.
"The director of student activities and leadership was held previously by Gary Manka and has been vacant for over a year," Wilson said. "The new position combines his role with providing additional support to the Cliff office."
Wilson said President David Hodge's vision of an engaged university was appealing when deciding to apply for the position.
"I really resonated with that message of building strong leadership within the university," Wilson said.
Wilson said she has some innovative priorities she hopes to accomplish.
"I hope to involve students in the process of meeting President Hodge's ideas," Wilson said. "A recent study that was done revealed that about 85 percent of Miami students are involved in some kind of organization, which is an amazing statistic. Hopefully we can provide more leadership opportunities in these organizations."
Another one of Wilson's goals is to integrate the results of the Blue Ribbon Coalition's assessment of Miami's Greek system that was conducted last year.
As for the sophomore living requirement, Wilson approves of the ideals this new regulation possesses and acknowledges the potential it has.
"I believe that the second-year program can be an incubator for development for those who live in the residence halls and in the fraternity houses," Wilson said. "The goals of the plan are worthwhile, and it's important that we figure out how to implement the plan to meet these goals."
Another issue requiring Wilson's attention is hazing.
"I think hazing is a strong example of organizations not living in congruence with their values and, in addition to being dangerous, is not what the fraternity and sorority experience should be about," Wilson said. "There are so many positive aspects of the experience that are overshadowed or negated when hazing is present."
Robles said she is satisfied with Wilson's hiring.
"She was a superb choice to lead us in the direction of more student leadership within the organizations and brings a vision to the student engagement plan," Robles said.
