SUNY New Paltz appoints L. David Rooney as new vice president for student affairs

NEW PALTZ — SUNY New Paltz Interim President Steven Poskanzer announced on Tuesday, July 23, the appointment of L. David Rooney to the office of vice president for student affairs.

“I am delighted that David has agreed to join us,” said Poskanzer about Dr. Rooney’s appointment. “I believe he is extraordinarily knowledgeable and thoughtful about student affairs and I am struck by the originality of his thinking and the passion that he brings to his work.”

Dr. Rooney has extensive experience in student affairs, beginning with assistant and associate dean positions at Texas Tech University from 1986 to 1990. In 1990, he became the assistant vice president for student affairs at California State University, Sacramento, where he stayed until his 1997 appointment as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pa.

At Johnstown, Dr. Rooney is responsible for all supervisory, planning, programmatic and budgetary aspects for the division of student affairs, including the following departments: office of student life, intercollegiate athletics (Div. II) and recreational sports, career services, student health services, housing and residence life, public safety, personal counseling center, student senate, and campus ministries.

Dr. Rooney said that he was excited about being chosen for the position, and that his wide range of experience in student affairs aligns well with the New Paltz philosophy. “New Paltz has a wide array of services with a focus on student affairs. I think a lot of schools have lost touch with this, but New Paltz has kept on target with the business of educating and developing students. That philosophy is hard to find.”

Chair of the search committee and Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at SUNY New Paltz, Stacie Nunes said that the committee is very happy about appointing Dr. Rooney. “He really stood out at every stage of the process,” she said. “The committee was impressed with the breadth and depth of his experience, his forthright manner, easy style, and obvious commitment to the well-being of students.”

Dr. Rooney said that he, his wife Denise and two sons are excited to become a part of the New Paltz community. “It is certainly a recreational area,” said Dr. Rooney. “We’re skiers and bikers and it seems like the number of opportunities for recreation are incredible.”

Dr. Rooney received his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Arizona State University. He received both his Master’s of Education in counseling and Bachelor’s of Science in psychology/special education from the University of Cincinnati. His wife, Denise, has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and is currently a software consultant.

Dr. Rooney replaces Barbara Geider, who had served as the vice president for student affairs for 11 years before retiring in June.