PRESS RELEASE: New Assistant Dean of Students for Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Announced!
June 9, 2006
Ashley Dye has been named the Assistant Dean of Students for Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. She will begin her position August 7, 2006. This decision concludes a highly competitive national search with four candidates visiting campus for consideration. A number of constituents interviewed all four candidates with Dye emerging as a strong favorite due to her experience both locally and nationally as an advocate for students engaged in the fraternal movement.
She returns to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) from the University of California, Irvine, where for the past five years she has been Director of Greek Life. Ashley earned both an undergraduate degree in Community Health and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from UIUC. According to Acting Dean of Students Ruth McCauley, "Ashley will provide leadership to the Fraternity and Sorority Advising unit of the Office of the Dean of Students, working with individual chapter leaders as well as the governing organizations and building relationships with the broad array of campus and community constituencies. In addition, she has a deep understanding of and experience with culturally-based fraternities and sororities, a growing segment of fraternal life at Illinois."
Dye will supervise Michelle Hart who will return as a front office manager/secretary IV and Lisa Moore who will continue to serve as a part-time time academic professional in fraternity and sorority affairs. A search for new graduate students and some possible restructuring of fraternity and sorority affairs staff is currently underway.
Outgoing Assistant Dean for Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Dan Bureau states "Ashley is a national leader in the fraternal movement. Her experience in the Association of Fraternity Advisors, as a representative to the National Panhellenic Conference, and as an established presenter and facilitator makes her an excellent candidate for this position. I believe her understanding of the international fraternal movement coupled with her experience with our campus will aid her in creating coalitions to advance the values and mission of the University of Illinois Fraternity and Sorority Community."
Bureau said he is currently exploring ways to aid in the transition of Dye into the new role. "Ashley has the skills our community needs, but this campus is somewhat unique in its size and how the fraternity and sorority community operates. We are committed to setting her up for success. She will be well trained to jump right in and help our students and other important constituents." Bureau's last day will be July 14th, but may be returning to campus during August to aid in the transition of Dye. He will be attending Indiana University seeking a PhD in Higher Education Student Affairs. McCauley acknowledged Bureau's work during his five years with UIUC. "Dan has set the bar high for Ashley. We believe we have hired the right person to continue his good work."
Dye is thrilled to return to the campus to work with those invested in the fraternity and sorority community. She states "I am so excited and grateful at the opportunity to return to the University of Illinois as the Assistant Dean of Students for Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. As an alumna, I have a lot of pride for the institution and the fraternity and sorority community. I am looking forward to working with the student leaders, alumni and other administrators to impact the fraternal movement on campus."
For more information, please contact Ruth McCauley, Acting Dean of Students, at rmccaule@uiuc.edu.
