Vandal alumnus Blaine Eckles chosen as UI’s next dean of students
Blaine Eckles has been chosen as the University of Idaho’s new dean of students, effective July 13.
Eckles has served as Boise State University’s associate dean of students since 2011, but he has also served as the school’s director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and as the associate director of Student Affairs.
He received his doctorate in Adult, Organizational Learning and Leadership from UI’s Boise extension in 2011.
Eckles was one of the candidates up for the dean of students position late in the spring semester after UI’s former dean of students Craig Chatriand resigned in March.
Jean Kim, vice provost for Student Affairs, said Eckles’ wide breadth of experience at BSU was a large factor in the decision to make Eckles the next dean of students.
“He is very passionate about serving the students and being an advocate for students,” Kim said. “It seems to me that he not only has the right experiences but also the right disposition to be able to respond to a variety of issues.”
Eckles said one of his main goals as the new dean of students is to get to know the students at UI, as well as to help the students get to know him.
“The one thing I’ve learned about the University of Idaho is it has very dedicated faculty and staff and students,” Eckles said. “I’m really looking forward to learning more about the campus and the community and the culture and the different ways the campus operates, and so I’m hoping that I might be able to bring in a perspective on it that has not been seen before so that we can work on things together for the betterment of students.”
Eckles said he is excited to experience the different campus community Moscow offers.
“I’m really excited about really getting back to a campus environment where the students are so involved and committed to the entire campus culture and climate,” Eckles said.
Erin Bamer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ErinBamer