With the recent promotion of Rosalie Carpenter to dean of students, Chris Kandus-Fisher has stepped away from his dual responsibilities which covered both student affairs and dean of students to focus on providing senior leadership as the vice president of student affairs.

“As vice president of student affairs, Chris will provide oversight to many areas of the university, effectively bridging academic affairs and campus life, and helping the student experience grow and become more vibrant,” said Wendy Libby, Ph.D., president of Stetson University.

Kandus-Fisher will directly oversee Stetson’s Housing and Residential Life, the Holistic Wellness areas that include the Club Sports, Health Services, the Counseling Center, the Hollis Center and various recreational offerings. Areas within Student Development and Campus Vibrancy, including student clubs and organizations, leadership development programs, Greek life, spiritual life, diversity and inclusion programs and student judicial affairs, also report to Kandus-Fisher.

Additionally, Kandus-Fisher will begin to serve as chair of the university’s Emergency Management Team, ensuring that the Stetson community is prepared and equipped to manage campus emergencies. The Office of Public Safety will join the Division of Campus Life and Student Success under Kandus-Fisher’s leadership. He will also provide oversight to dining services and the bookstore.

To continue the effective collaboration and the work between academic affairs and campus life on Stetson’s Student Success initiative, Lua Hancock, Ed.D., assistant provost for student success, will continue to report directly to Beth Paul, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and will have a dotted line to Kandus-Fisher to assure the coordination and integration of Stetson’s comprehensive student success model. Kandus-Fisher will also work directly with the College of Law on the development and maturation of students services on the Tampa Bay campuses.

Kandus-Fisher joined the Stetson administration in August 2010 initially as dean of students, coming from Babson College in Massachusetts, where he served as assistant dean in the Office of Campus Life. He succeeded vice president Rina Tovar in April 2012, when she moved to become a major gifts officer in university relations. Kandus-Fisher earned his bachelor’s degree at Ashland University and master’s degrees from the University of Akron and is a doctoral candidate at Nova Southeastern University, pursuing a degree in higher education leadership.

“Chris’ strategic thinking and ability to lift campus initiatives will be instrumental for our students,” said Libby. “We are excited for his leadership in these critical areas.”