2008 Woodie Awards
VP of student affairs plans for retirement after 25 years
Natalie McKerjee
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Campus
A search committee is currently looking for candidates to fill the position of Miami University's vice president of student affairs, Richard Nault, after the 25-year Miami veteran announced his retirement plans June 6.
With Nault holding several job titles in various areas of the university, this replacement will have to follow an extensive track record.
Nault, who began working at Miami in 1982, has seen four university presidents and has been involved in multiple administrative areas on campus-including the offices of Judicial Affairs, Learning Assistance, Resident Life, and Retention and Scholastic Enhancement. He has contributed to Miami as the diversity director of the Honors Program, associate vice president for student affairs and as dean of students.
According to Nault, the relationships he formed with students were among his proudest achievements.
"(Miami is) a special place where students form powerful relationships that make them better people," Nault said.
And although Nault, a resident of Oxford, will no longer be a part of the Miami administration, he plans on maintaining a close relationship with the university.
One way he will be doing this is through working part time on campus focusing on student integrity and teaching leadership.
Claire Wagner, spokesperson for Miami as well as a colleague of Nault, referred to Nault as a role model and supporter to an unbelievable number of students through the duration of his career.
"(Nault has the ability) to be kind, to look out for others' best interests-especially students-and to respect people and situations," Wagner said.
According to colleagues, Nault's successor has some large shoes to fill as he or she must be capable of leading a staff of approximately 140 members, have visionary ideas, fund-raising skills and most importantly be committed to students.
Nault's primary focus at Miami has been students, and Wagner hopes to see this same dedication in his replacement. Wagner also mentioned that she hopes whoever succeeds Nault will focus on the idea of whole student development.
A search committee is currently looking for Nault's replacement, but students will always be able to find Nault in Oxford.
"I want to live long enough that your children will go here," Nault said.
With Nault holding several job titles in various areas of the university, this replacement will have to follow an extensive track record.
Nault, who began working at Miami in 1982, has seen four university presidents and has been involved in multiple administrative areas on campus-including the offices of Judicial Affairs, Learning Assistance, Resident Life, and Retention and Scholastic Enhancement. He has contributed to Miami as the diversity director of the Honors Program, associate vice president for student affairs and as dean of students.
According to Nault, the relationships he formed with students were among his proudest achievements.
"(Miami is) a special place where students form powerful relationships that make them better people," Nault said.
And although Nault, a resident of Oxford, will no longer be a part of the Miami administration, he plans on maintaining a close relationship with the university.
One way he will be doing this is through working part time on campus focusing on student integrity and teaching leadership.
Claire Wagner, spokesperson for Miami as well as a colleague of Nault, referred to Nault as a role model and supporter to an unbelievable number of students through the duration of his career.
"(Nault has the ability) to be kind, to look out for others' best interests-especially students-and to respect people and situations," Wagner said.
According to colleagues, Nault's successor has some large shoes to fill as he or she must be capable of leading a staff of approximately 140 members, have visionary ideas, fund-raising skills and most importantly be committed to students.
Nault's primary focus at Miami has been students, and Wagner hopes to see this same dedication in his replacement. Wagner also mentioned that she hopes whoever succeeds Nault will focus on the idea of whole student development.
A search committee is currently looking for Nault's replacement, but students will always be able to find Nault in Oxford.
"I want to live long enough that your children will go here," Nault said.
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