Hazard Named Associate Vice President for Student Engagement

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 27, 2017) — Former University of Kentucky Dean of Students and Interim Associate Provost for Student and Academic Life Victor A. Hazard will be the first associate vice president for student engagement. Hazard will begin his new position on Aug. 15, 2017.

"I hold a firm belief that an engaged student is a retained and successful student and that the Office for Institutional Diversity plays a key role in achieving that end. There is also a role to be played by each and every college, department, center, unit and community member in ensuring that all of our students are engaged at the University of Kentucky," Hazard said. "I am convinced that our collaborative efforts will yield a result that is in the best interest of our students, the university and ultimately the people of the Commonwealth. I look forward to the journey ahead, that is all of ours to achieve."

For nearly 30 years, Hazard has been a fixture on the university campus in varying roles, but most notably as the dean of students where he served since 2000. Among the units under Victor’s leadership were Residence Life, the Counseling Center, Violence Intervention and Prevention Center, Disability Resource Center, Office of Student Conduct, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Office of Student Organizations and Activities, and Transition and First Year Programs. Most recently, he served as the interim associate provost for student and academic life.

In his new role, Hazard will carry out the Unconscious Bias Initiative, particularly as it pertains to all undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students. This work will complement the faculty and staff unconscious bias efforts that are underway in the Office for Institutional Diversity.

Hazard will serve as the primary advisor to the Office for Institutional Diversity and the provost in recommending new university-wide initiatives and special programs that help improve the campus climate for students, and monitor and develop a holistic understanding of student campus climate. This involves working with various existing student groups as well as developing new student groups to facilitate, solicit and gain a greater understanding of the student experience in an effort to improve campus climate for all UK students.

"I am confident Victor’s vast skills and leadership abilities will prove invaluable as we work to enhance opportunities and experiences for our students," said Sonja Feist-Price, vice president for institutional iiversity. "He is distinctly qualified for this important role. His abiding commitment to the success of our students and campus is readily apparent in everything he does."