Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott announced a change in the university’s senior leadership team and the reestablishment of the Student Life Division.
Steve Erwin, who has served as Pittsburg State University’s associate vice president for campus life and auxiliary services since 2004, will assume a new role as vice president for student life and report directly to the president.
“As we prepare to implement a new strategic plan, we must ensure that the right people are in the right places, and that the appropriate organizational structure is in place,” said Scott.
The change is a reflection of the growing importance campus programs and co-curricular activities play in academic success and student retention.
Offices within the Student Life Division are focused on providing support services to university students. It consists of Student Health Services, Campus Activities, Greek Life, Student Government, Student Wellness Programming, Campus Recreation and Intramural Sports, Dining Services, Gorilla Bookstore, Overman Student Center, Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, Student Rights and Responsibilities, University Counseling, University Housing, and University Parking and Police. Prior to 2004, these offices existed as a unified division of the university. Today’s announcement reestablishes the division.
“A robust campus support system is essential to a student’s ability to achieve in the classroom,” said Erwin. “The reestablishment of this division underscores the importance Pittsburg State places on its students’ success. I’m looking forward to continuing our important work for many years to come.”
During his 21-year tenure with Pittsburg State, Erwin has taken on a number of increasingly complex responsibilities as the scope of his position has grown. These include oversight of the opening of the Bryant Student Health Center, the Student Recreation Center, the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts and the expansion and renovation of the Overman Student Center.
In addition to these major facilities, Erwin has also led the university’s $30 million investment in student housing. This decade-long renovation project has resulted in the modernization of every housing unit on campus.
Erwin’s responsibilities also include that of emergency response coordinator, placing him at the forefront of issues surrounding inclement weather, campus security planning and more.
“Over the past six years, Dr. Erwin and I have worked closely together on a variety of issues, including campus security and safety issues,” said Scott. “He is a true professional and has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our students. I’m looking forward to having more frequent and direct interactions with him in the months and years ahead. These actions will allow us to continue to benefit from Dr. Erwin’s experience and knowledge.”
Erwin came to Pittsburg State in 1994 as the director of housing. He served as associate vice president of student affairs from 1999 through 2002 and then as interim vice president for student affairs from 2002 until being named to his current position in 2004. Erwin earned an associate’s degree from Olney Central College, a bachelor of arts and a master’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University, an Ed.S. from Pittsburg State University and a doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas. Before coming to PSU, Erwin held positions in residence life and student affairs at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, the University of Wisconsin Parkside and the University of Wisconsin Platteville.
