LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 22, 2010) – Robert C. Mock Jr. has accepted the position of vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Kentucky, Provost Kumble Subbaswamy announced today.
Currently associate vice provost for Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), Mock will begin his tenure at UK on July 1, 2010, contingent upon approval by the UK Board of Trustees.
Subbaswamy said "We had an excellent group of applicants for the position, and based on input from all those who participated in the search, the president and I determined that Dr. Mock was the best fit for UK."
After recognizing the excellent work of the search committee and its chairs Jim Wims, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and director of Residence Life, and College of Business and Economics Dean Devanathan Sudharshan, Subbaswamy said, "The faculty, staff and students helped to make our recruitment of Dr. Mock successful, and I am extremely grateful to all of you. I look forward very much to working with Dr. Mock in charting the future direction of Student Affairs as a full partner in enhancing the success of all our students."
Mock began his career in higher education at the University of Arkansas as a continuing education program coordinator in 1995, but his talents were soon tapped as he was named associate dean in Arkansas's College of Professional Studies in 2001. In three years, he was given even more responsibility as the student services division chief and director of recruitment and retention. Mock was named assistant vice chancellor for student affairs in 2007, then associate vice provost for student affairs, a post he holds today. He also serves in the Arkansas Army National Guard as a hospital administrator officer. He has remained a faculty instructor throughout his tenure as a student affairs administrator.
He is a prolific professional consultant in management and leadership as well, recently making presentations to the University of Arkansas System - Criminal Justice Institute, the Arkansas Black Student Association annual conference, and a national symposium on student retention.
While Mock earned his bachelor's in industrial engineering at Southern Illinois University, he received his master's in interpersonal and organization communication and doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2009, he attended Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.
Mock said one of the reasons he accepted the position was because, "I am so impressed by the extraordinary faculty, staff and students' enthusiasm and focus on becoming a Top 20 institution.
"I look forward with excitement as the time nears to join the University of Kentucky and contribute to the academic, research, service and student centered institutional culture," he said.
Mock is married to Bethany Mock, a claims representative with the Social Security Administration, and they have two children, 9-year-old daughter Tahlya and 2-year-old son Robert III.
"My wife and I along with our two children have been overwhelmed with the welcoming nature and hospitality of the people of Lexington, Ky.," he said.
