Two new vice presidents to join the SMU family

BY KARINA RAJTAR
Editor in Chief

Saint Mary’s University is actively searching for two new vice presidents, a vice president for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP) and a senior vice president for university advancement.

“Really, only one of them is new,” said Ann Merchlewitz, executive vice president and general counsel. After Jeffrey Highland, former provost and vice president for the college, retired last spring, Jim Bedtke took on the duties of vice president for the college in addition to his position as vice president for SGPP. “One person can’t hold both positions,” Merchlewitz said, adding that both positions require a significant time commitment.

The new vice president for SGPP will “grow grad programs, grow (the university’s) reputation in the Twin Cities and make (the university) more visible,” Merchlewitz said, while Bedtke will retain the position as vice president of the college.

The senior vice president for university advancement is a new position that will oversee the Alumni and Development and Communications and Marketing offices.

The new senior vice president will look at “big picture things, integrating those two departments in ways that will benefit the university in the long run,” Merchlewitz said.

“The push for adding that new position is to continue to create some stability in that area (Alumni and Development),” Merchlewitz said. She said there has been a lot of turnover in the department in the last few years, and the senior vice president will be able to look at the “broad term” and “big picture” while those working in the department can continue to build relationships with alumni.

Merchlewitz believes both vice president positions are “investments in the institution” that will increase revenue by increased enrollment at SGPP or philanthropic and alumni gifts.

“I really believe that these are really big investments in the long term health and viability of the institution,” Merchlewitz said.