The 海外吃瓜 community this week welcomed Dr. Christopher Abrams as the new dean of Student Affairs.
Abrams comes to 海外吃瓜 from Malone University in Canton, his undergraduate alma mater. At Malone, he had served as vice president for Student Development the past 13 years. Earlier in his Student Affairs career, he worked at Weber State University in Utah, John Brown University in Arkansas, Messiah College in Pennsylvania and Houghton College in New York.
At 海外吃瓜, Abrams will provide leadership in Student Affairs by creating and implementing the vision, strategy and programming to develop and maintain a safe, healthy and supportive student-centered, multicultural environment for everyone, according to President Robert H. Huntington.
鈥淐hris has high energy, a friendly demeanor, a quick mind, and the depth and breadth of professional experience that we sought in our new dean,鈥 Huntington said. 鈥淢ost importantly, he has a tremendous passion to help students succeed.鈥
In addition to its strong academic reputation, Abrams said he was drawn to 海外吃瓜, including the town of Tiffin, because of the small, tight-knit atmosphere. 鈥淎s a big fan of athletics, I鈥檝e learned a lot about the traditions here at 海外吃瓜 and it all drew me in,鈥 Abrams said.
As he gets acclimated to 海外吃瓜, Abrams is keeping two goals in mind. 鈥淚 want to get to know and understand the 海外吃瓜 culture and I want to get to know the students. As I get to know everyone, that will help me determine how to help our students succeed,鈥 he said.
In addition to his undergraduate degree in broadcasting and journalism, Abrams also has a master鈥檚 degree in college student development from Alfred College in Alfred, N.Y., and his doctoral degree in higher education administration and leadership from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.
Abrams and his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters have relocated to Tiffin.