DeKALB – Gary Dukes, the fourth and final candidate for Vice President for Student Affairs, will be interviewed for the position. On Wednesday and Thursday, Dukes will meet faculty, students and the public while being evaluated for VPSA. 

As part of the selection process, Dukes will interview with several high-ranking officials at NIU including Executive Vice President and Provost Beth Ingram and President Lisa Freeman on Wednesday. Meetings with campus organizations, such as Greek Life and athletics, will also take place, according to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. 

Dukes will have the chance to speak to the public at a community forum from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Holmes Student Center Douglas Room. An open forum will take place immediately after from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Holmes Student Center Illinois Room. 

The selection process will continue on Thursday including a tour of campus and an exit interview from 1 to 1:30 p.m. in Altgeld Hall Room 300. 

The VPSA is responsible for enhancing student life on campus as well as engagement, according to NIU’s search listing for the position. The VPSA also reports directly to President Freeman as part of her Leadership Team. 

Dukes currently is Vice President for Student Affairs at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon having occupied the position since 2004, according to his resumé. 

He has been working in higher education since 1986 at several institutions including The University of Vermont, Georgia Institute of Technology, The University of Washington, Southern Oregon University and Colorado State University at Pueblo. 

Among his career highlights include overseeing the construction of a Health and Wellness Center Building, an artificial turf field and multiple residential complexes. 

Dukes also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oregon State University (1985), a Masters in Education from The University of Vermont (1987) and a Doctorate in Philosophy from The University of Washington (1994).

Other candidates for VPSA are Gayle Ward of Rush University, Clint-Michael Reneau of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and Brian Fisher of Florida Gulf University.