Pioli, Mitton join Dean of Students Office

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

Susie Mitton (Sarah Buchholz photo)

he Dean of Students Office welcomes two staff members to new positions for this academic year. Interim dean of students Gladys Rodriguez said Richard Pioli and Susie Mitton were appointed to new positions in her office "because of their vast experience in student services and their knowledge."

     Pioli takes on a one-year appointment as assistant dean of students, assuming many of the duties performed by Merle Ryan, who retired this summer. Pioli, a double alumnus ('75, '82G) and an adjunct faculty member in French and Italian, served for six years as an assistant dean in Pre-Major Advising Services and as the director-in-residence of the Univers-ity's program of study abroad in Siena, Italy, for two years.

     "It's a job not unlike an advising job," Pioli said of his new position. His duties include assisting students with residency and religious issues, as well as financial difficulties, and he also will provide general counseling, he said. In addition, he is the advisor to Alpha Lambda Delta, a freshman honorary society.

Richard Pioli (Stan Sherer photo)

     Mitton, assistant dean of students II, is filling in for Paul Vas-concellos, who is on medical leave. Her responsibilities focus on judicial affairs. Mitton, who is a graduate student in Social Justice Education, worked as a residence director for four years before becoming project coordinator for Project MosaiK for two years. Last year she worked in the Dean of Students Office, assisting with appeals and sitting on the Student Affairs Judicial Issues Committee.

     "They are here to advocate on behalf of students," Rodriguez said, "to answer questions and get problems solved."

     Rodriguez said the effect of retirements and other staff losses around campus and in her office was to require the swift filling of some positions.

     "People go away," she said, "but the things that need to happen don't stop. I wanted to have people here who could hit the ground running."