McCuskey named vice provost for student life

Beth McCuskey has been named vice provost for student life, effective immediately.

McCuskey, who had been serving as interim vice provost, will report directly to Deba Dutta, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. She will work closely with Frank Dooley, vice provost for teaching and learning, and Pam Horne, dean of admissions and associate vice provost for enrollment management, to integrate programs and initiatives for the Division of Student Academic Affairs.

McCuskey's responsibilities will include fostering program initiatives and providing guidance related to the following areas: Arts, Culture and Ideas, Dean of Students, Purdue University Student Health Center/Counseling and Psychological Services, Leadership Development, Recreational Sports, Student Activities and Organizations, Purdue Dining and Catering, Purdue Memorial Union, and University Residences/Residential Life. McCuskey also will provide leadership for the Purdue Moves initiative to increase the opportunity for students to live on campus by working to add 25 percent more beds to University residences.

McCuskey joined Purdue as associate vice president for housing and food services in 2010. Before coming to Purdue, McCuskey served as executive director of residence life, dining services and the Wyoming Union at the University of Wyoming and held a variety of administrative roles in housing and residence life at West Virginia University.

All of McCuskey's degrees are from West Virginia University. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics in 1988, a master's degree in higher education administration in 1991, a master's degree in industrial and labor relations in 1996 and a doctorate in higher education leadership in 2003.

McCuskey has served as a faculty member for the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International's  (ACUHO-I) Chief Housing Officer Training Institute and National Housing Training Institute. She helped to conceptualize the AIMHO College, an institute for new housing professionals in the intermountain region.

McCuskey also has been active in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and ACUHO-I, previously serving as chair of the ACUHO-I Foundation Board of Trustees and as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of College and University Student Housing. She is currently serving as vice president of ACUHO-I, an elected position that will culminate with serving as president in 2017.