Release

James A. Anderson Named to Lead University's Efforts to Build Student Success, Community Relations and Diversity

James A. Anderson

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 12, 2005) -- James A. Anderson has been named the University at Albany's vice president for student success and vice provost for institutional assessment and diversity. Anderson holds the post of vice president and associate provost for institutional assessment and diversity at Texas A&M University, and is a tenured professor in the Department of Psychology.

As the University's vice president and vice provost, Anderson will lead efforts to build on student academic success and learning, create innovative approaches to student affairs, strengthen the University's relationships with diverse people, and build community relations and outreach.

"This new approach to student affairs sets UAlbany apart from other universities in the nation," said University at Albany President Kermit L. Hall. "James brings with him an integrated approach to understanding and developing the range of influences that affect student success, as well as a track record of working with the communities that impact our students' lives. We are thrilled he is joining us."

"It is an honor to be associated with an excellent institution like the University at Albany," said Anderson. "I support the vision of all members of the Albany community who seek to ascend another level in terms of the university's national identity and the relationship between the university, the city, the region, and the state. There are no limits as to what we can accomplish."

"The City of Albany welcomes Dr. Anderson and his message that student success equals success in life," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings. "I would add that student success equals success as citizens. Our partnerships with the University and President Hall are unique and productive, and we look forward to working with Dr. Anderson on initiatives that will benefit our communities."

Anderson's research and publications have focused on the development of student learning styles across gender, race, culture and class; the formal assessment of student learning in the college classroom; and the examination of how diversity impacts student learning, retention, and overall institutional effectiveness. He was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, a Danforth Fellow and a National Learning Communities Fellow. In March 2005, Anderson was awarded the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award, and in November 2004 was honored by the National Association of Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Commission on Human Resources and Social Changes with an Outstanding Service award.

From 1992 to 2003, Anderson served as the vice provost for undergraduate affairs at North Carolina State University. He has also served on the psychology faculty at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Xavier University of New Orleans. At Xavier he also served as the department chair. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Villanova University and his doctorate in psychology from Cornell University. He currently serves on the board of trustees at Villanova University.

Anderson edited the 2004 publication "The Unfinished Agenda of Brown v. Board of Education" (John Wiley & Sons).

He will assume the post in mid-November.