Purdue names new associate VP for Housing and Food Services
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Beth M. McCuskey, a land-grant university veteran from the University of Wyoming, has been named Purdue University's associate vice president for Housing and Food Services.
Beth McCuskey
"Housing and Food Services is composed of a number of financially self-supporting units, so it is imperative this leader have a strong background in facilities management, budgeting and fiscal management, as well as student development and learning," said James Almond, senior vice president for business services and assistant treasurer. "Beth McCuskey will serve Purdue well with her experience in financial operations and her dedication to student success."
McCuskey, who is executive director of residence life, dining services and the Wyoming Union, will begin at Purdue in November. She will oversee a broad range of self-supporting units, including University Residences, the Purdue Memorial Union, Food Stores and Hall of Music Productions. Housing and Food Services has a work force of approximately 900 full-time staff members, 2,200 student employees and 300 resident assistants. The division also encompasses more than 31 percent of the campus square footage, houses 11,000 residents and has an operating budget of $136 million.
"My entire career has been spent at land-grant universities, and I look forward to bringing my technical skill set to Purdue and its students," McCuskey said. "Land-grant institutions are committed to educating students, and in my role I can reach a number of students by providing more than just a place to live or eat. The services in this division create an environment that helps students thrive academically, as well as with their peers and in their community. Additionally, we provide students the opportunity to learn valuable leadership and interpersonal skills through their jobs or resident assistant positions - skills that will last their lifetimes. I look forward to this new role and building on Purdue's strengths."
Before working at the University of Wyoming in 1999, McCuskey was assistant director of finance and administration of Housing and Residence Life at West Virginia University. She also served as operations manager, business manager, administrative assistant and accountant in this area.
All of McCuskey's degrees are from West Virginia University. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1988, a master's degree in education administration in 1991, a master's degree in industrial relations in 1996 and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2003.
Barbara Frazee, executive director of University Residences, has served in an interim capacity since John Sautter retired June 30 after nearly 40 years of service at Purdue.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Sources: James Almond, 765-494-9706, jsalmond@purdue.edu
Beth McCuskey, bmccuske@uwyo.edu