Local Campus Administrator Selected for National Board


WASHINGTON, DC (February 20, 2006) Gary L. McGrath, Dean of Student Affairs, has been appointed to the Advisory Board for the James E. Scott Academy for Leadership & Executive Effectiveness, part of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). McGrath will serve on the board for three years, starting next month. Dr. McGrath has served as Dean of Student Affairs at the Arizona State University the Polytechnic campus since November, 1999.

The Scott Academy was established in 1997in response to NASPA.s strategic initiative to focus sharper attention on the continued professional education and development needs of senior student affairs officers (SSAOs). The Scott Academy provides professional development for SSAOs through the dissemination of learning in the five curricular areas. Instructional delivery mechanisms include conference sessions, institutes, self-study materials, audio/visual tapes, teleconferencing and web-based instruction.

As one of twenty-five members on the Advisory Board, McGrath represents over 1250 vice presidents and deans of student affairs who look to NASPA to provide them with cutting-edge professional development. During his three-year appointment, McGrath will participate in the development of conferences for current and aspiring SSAOs; serve on the editorial board of the Leadership Exchange executive management magazine; and advise NASPA on the best ways for it to serve its members. needs.

Currently, McGrath is responsible for student recruitment, financial aid, registration, housing, dining services, student activities/campus union, counseling, career counseling/placement, health service, student conduct, recreation and intramurals. Previously, McGrath served as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Minnesota, Morris for thirteen years. McGrath's prior administrative positions were at the University of Minnesota, Cornell College (Iowa), Indiana University and the University of Minnesota, Morris. McGrath received his doctoral degree from Indiana University in Higher Education, master's degree in student personnel administration from Western Illinois University, and bachelor's degree in history from the University of Minnesota, Morris. In 1988 McGrath was selected and completed the Harvard University Summer Institute for Senior Administrators. In l998 McGrath received the Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Indiana University Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs. McGrath has been active member of NASPA, most recently completing a two year term as co-chair of Arizona NASPA.

For more information about the Scott Academy or NASPA, please contact Kevin Kruger at kkruger@naspa.org or 202-265-7500.