Updated: Dec. 14 at 12:10 p.m.
Duke University Senior Associate Dean Todd Adams will join Northwestern's upper administration as dean of students Winter Quarter, Adams confirmed Thursday night. Adams said the decision was finalized last week when he met with Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin and they together decided it would be "mutually beneficial" for Adams to take the helm as dean of students, a position held until this year by Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement Burgwell Howard.
"This has been a lengthy search process, and I am confident Todd's expertise will contribute to an optimal educational experience and a successful outcome for our students," Telles-Irvin said in a university relations statement shared with North by Northwestern on Friday.
In addition to overseeing off-campus life, student conduct and conflict resolution, the announcement said Adams will chair the Hazing Prevention Task Force and the new Community Alcohol Coalition, set to form upon his arrival.
"Right now is a wonderful time to be at Northwestern, and I'm really looking forward to becoming a member of the Wildcat community," Adams said. "I'm really impressed by the combined work of students and staff to continue to improve the school, and I'm excited to be a part of that." Adams, who attended the University of Nebraska as an undergraduate and received a graduate degree from Vanderbilt University, has worked as an administrator at Duke since 2000.
Adams said he's been in touch with various members of Associated Student Government, who were informed of the appointment Wednesday.
"There hasn't been much discussion of issues of significance yet, but I look forward to working with student leaders at Northwestern to help advance some of their causes, as well as taking positive steps in the whole Northwestern community," he said.
Adams is set to begin his duties at Northwestern in February, according to the release.