Dr. Judy Grimes has been named interim vice president for student affairs at Missouri Western State University. Her appointment was announced today by Dr. Robert Vartabedian, president of the university.
Dr. Grimes, associate vice president and dean of students, has been working in partnership with the university’s provost, Dr. Jeanne Daffron, to oversee the student affairs division since the departure of the former vice president of student affairs in March.
“Dr. Daffron and Dr. Grimes have done an excellent job of leading the student affairs division through this period of transition,” Dr. Vartabedian said. “Dr. Grimes has been a valued member of the university’s staff since 1996 and will be a capable leader. I appreciate her willingness to accept this responsibility.”
“I also appreciate Dr. Daffron’s special efforts during the transition,” Dr. Vartabedian added. “Her duties as provost are demanding and she willingly and effectively accepted extra oversight responsibilities in student affairs. Dr. Grimes’ appointment as the interim vice president for student affairs will allow Dr. Daffron to concentrate on her primary responsibilities.”
“It is a privilege for me to have an opportunity to assist the university in this way and I appreciate the confidence being placed in me,” Dr. Grimes said. “Missouri Western is a very special place. Our students achieve at a high level and often overcome significant challenges as they progress toward graduation. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Western’s faculty and staff to support this special group of students.”
Dr. Grimes earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Education and a Ph.D. in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. She has served as the associate vice president and dean of students since 2010. She first joined the Missouri Western staff in August, 1996 as acting director of freshman year experience and has risen through various administrative positions since.
Before coming to Missouri Western Dr. Grimes spent 11 years at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and worked four years as director of the Applied Language Institute, a joint program of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Metropolitan Community Colleges.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.