Laura Blake Jones, interim dean of students and the director of the Office of Student Life, has accepted a position as dean of students for University of Michigan. Blake Jones has spent 15 years at UO, tirelessly working on behalf of students, and those who know her agree: Michigan students are lucky to have her. Dr. Blake Jones is a UO Alumni having earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Oregon in 2005. 

U of M spent more than a year searching for and reviewing candidates before naming Blake Jones who will start on July 13. Although Blake Jones is excited for this new opportunity and to apply the skills she’s learned at UO in a new environment, she’s also leaving with mixed emotions. “I’ve loved my time at UO,” said Blake Jones, “It’s a difficult place to leave because of the great students, faculty, staff and my family’s connection to Eugene.” Blake went on to explain, "And, while I am very excited to become a Wolverine, I want you to know that part of me will always be a Duck."

In her role as dean of students, Blake Jones was responsible for crisis management, threat assessment and student engagement and well-being. Sam Dotters-Katz, outgoing ASUO President explained that she worked closely with students on campus demonstrating strong leadership and commitment to students’ well-being. “Laura Blake Jones was incredibly dedicated to enhancing the student experience here at the University,” said Dotters-Katz. “Laura was always staying late, working weekends; she really went the extra mile. Her energy and dedication was contagious.”

As the Director of the Office of Student Life, Blake Jones also oversaw a long list of programs including: diversity education and support, substance abuse prevention and education, sexual and partner violence prevention, student conduct and community standards, conflict resolution, nontraditional students and student veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender education and support, parent and family programs, commencement and honors and awards programs, and the ASUO Women's Center.

 Blake Jones’ colleagues say that she was a committed advocate for students, building community and providing the support and access to services students need to succeed. "Laura was a champion for all students,” said Sheryl Eyster, assistant dean and associate director for the Office of Student Life. “As a result of her unwavering dedication and leadership at the UO, numerous innovative programs and services have been developed to support students in their efforts to be academically and personally successful." Students will continue to reap the benefits of these new programs and resources long after Blake Jones leaves.  

For example, twenty re-entry students receive scholarships each year because of a grant Blake Jones wrote for students who’ve had a 4-5 year absence but want to continue their education. Blake Jones has also helped parents keep in the loop by starting a monthly newsletter geared toward campus events. Off-campus students stay more connected because of similar services and community resources that have started under Blake Jones’ direction.

Blake Jones began working for UO as the assistant to the dean of students in 1994. She became the associate dean of students a few months later and has served in that role and as the director of the Office of Student Life since 1999. Dotters-Katz said that her dedication to UO students means she is leaving big shoes to fill. "Laura Blake Jones set a wonderful precedent for future dean of students. It is a precedent of being able to understand and help translate the student pulse to the rest of the administration," said Dotters-Katz.

Dr. Paul Shang was named the new Dean of Students and began May 1, 2009. According to a statement from UO, Shang brings to UO extensive experience in student development, student affairs administration, judicial affairs, crisis management, orientation, and recruitment among several other skills. He previously worked as the assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Shang's leadership in undergraduate education, especially with freshmen students, is one of the reasons Robin Holmes, UO vice president for student affairs, selected him from the national search candidates. There was a record enrollment last fall at UO and most are expecting another record enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year. The record enrollments make freshman assimilation and development an important campus priority in the coming years.

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