KINGSTON, R.I. – May 20, 2013 — Following a national search, the University of Rhode Island recently named Mary Jo Gonzales as assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Students. URI Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Dougan made the appointment and said Gonzales started on April 1, 2013.

Gonzales previously served as the associate dean of students and director of the Academic Success Center at Iowa State University. At Iowa, Gonzales was responsible for Multicultural Student Affairs, TRiO Student Support Services, Student Disability Resources, Hixson Opportunity Awards, National Student Exchange, Writing and Media Center and Academic Success Center.

“Dr. Mary Jo Gonzales has the experience necessary to be an outstanding Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students. She is committed to student success and impressed everyone at URI with her enthusiasm and dedication to students,” Dougan said.

“URI’s commitment to the land-grant mission and its history of enriching the student learning experience is impressive. I am looking forward to joining the URI family and serving alongside faculty and staff to continue in that tradition” commented Gonzales.

Prior to her work at Iowa State, Gonzales worked at Dickinson State University as director of the Academic Success Center and before that, as director of the TRiO Student Support Services. Gonzales has held several leadership positions in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) that include serving as an area award chair for the NASPA Excellence Awards, the Latino Knowledge Community Sponsorship Chair, and co-chair for the Latinos in Higher Education Institute. Gonzales has also served as a mentor for three NASPA Undergraduate Fellows.

Gonzales received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from San Jose State University, her Master of Arts in Communication and her Ph.D. in Education from Washington State University.

Gonzales replaces Jason Pina who left the position to become Vice President for Student Affairs at Bridgewater State University.