Fernando Alcantar is new director of student life
After working through a massive list of applications, the Utah State University- Eastern Chancellor’s and Student Services’ offices hired Fernando Alcantar as the new director of student life, leadership and involvement.
This archived article was written by: Seth Richards
After working through a massive list of applications, the Utah State University- Eastern Chancellor’s and Student Services’ offices hired Fernando Alcantar as the new director of student life, leadership and involvement.
The hiring committee was chaired by Dr. Alex Herzog, associate vice chancellor for student services. Other members of the committee included: Thomas Garvin, president of the Eastern Utah Student Association (EUSA); Beth Liddell, EUSA officer; Jennifer Truschka, associate professor of political science; Blaney Hanvey, residential life coordinator and student conduct officer; Terry Johnson, SUN Center director; Kim Booth, director of financial aid; and Teresa Frazier, representative of the San Juan campus.
This committee narrowed the pool of applicants from 37 to seven for phone interviews, and then to four to present themselves to the campus community, of which one declined. Of the three that came to campus, the campus feedback favored Alcantar, who was then selected by Chancellor Peterson and Herzog.
Born in Mexico, Alcantar resides in El Centro, California and worked as the director of leadership development for young people in the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church and as senior coordinator of North American partnerships for Azusa Pacific University. He has a bachelor of arts in psychology and an master of arts in organizational leadership.
Alcantar defines himself as, “an agent of change who believes in the promise of theis generation and the potential for institutions like Utah State University to develop in them a character of transformation. I believe this is a place where I can make a positive difference.”
Herzog has expressed great relief at the acquisition of such a qualified hire for the position and believes that Alcantar is “a good fit to really take our leadership program to a new level and really focus on the student government advising as well as the leadership class and really put some energy towards improving student involvement.”
In addition to advising EUSA, and teaching the leadership class, Alcantar will be supervising all campus auxiliaries and the SUN Center.
The other open position was that of director of enrollment, which was offered to one candidate who declined, and the position remains open. The hiring committee hopes to conduct interviews for this position in mid to late April. Resumes for the position should be through the USU human resources jobsite.
