Douglas R. Wermedal, PhD

Douglas R. Wermedal, PhD Education Rural Sociology, Ph.D. Family Studies and Complex Social Organization Emphasis South Dakota State University (2008) Dissertation: It was Once So: Gender and Generation in College Yearbooks Guidance and Counseling (College Student Personnel/Student Affairs) M.S. in Education Eastern Illinois University (1987) Agricultural Journalism Bachelor of Science South Dakota State University (1985) Recent Professional Experience Interim Vice President for Student Affairs: (South Dakota State University August 2014 July 2016) Serving as senior student affairs officer of a flagship, student-centered, land-grant university with 12,589 undergraduate and graduate students. Duties include supporting the University s academic mission by providing leadership in the areas of enrollment management and student success; guiding senior staff as they strengthen their units (350 full-time staff and 500 student employees); overseeing the financial management of a $23 million annual operating budget; working actively with donors to secure pledges for student-focused initiatives. Provide direct daily leadership and overall supervision to the following units: Admissions, Career Center, Counseling Center, Dining Services, Disability Services, Financial Aid, Intramurals and Club Sports, Multicultural Affairs, New Student Orientation, Parent and Family Relations, Registration and Records, Residential Life, Disability Services, Student Activities, Student Conduct Student Health Clinic, Student Union, TRiO Student Support Services, TriO Upward Bound, Veterans Services, and the Wellness Center. Achievements While Serving Improved student health care access by partnering with Avera Health Systems to provide college students with a 24-hour / 7-day a week electronic health care platform. First in the nation for college students, AveraNow offered around-theclock primary care through direct internet connection with a Health Care Provider, (MD, PA, CNP). 1

Solved historic traffic management problems for popular food service sites by offering student Tapingo a mobile food ordering app which allows students to by- pass lines to order, pick-up and pay for food. Increased number of transactions by an average of 100 more additional orders per food service site throughout campus. Secured best yield in history (90% of recruits enrolled) for Distinguished Scholars program by offering international travel opportunities as part of award package. Increased new student enrollment 93 students (3%) over previous year and improved retention to 78.6% (2.5%) improvement over previous year. Raised $1.5 million across ten years for the College of Education and Human Sciences and Athletic Department. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs: (South Dakota State University 2011-2014 and August 2016 Present) Provide senior-level leadership to comprehensive Student Affairs Division. Support the University s academic mission by providing supervision to Residential Life, Dining Services, Wellness Center, Student Health, Counseling Center, Intramural and Club Sports, SDSU Foundation Development Officer, Parents Advisory Committee, and the Behavior Intervention Team. Collaborate with Vice President to provide leadership to personnel and programs in Admissions, Career Center, Financial Aid, Multicultural Affairs, New Student Orientation, Registration and Records, Student Activities, Student Conduct, the Student Union, TriO grant programs, and Veterans Services Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs: (South Dakota State University 2007-2010) Title change to recognize upgrade of Student Affairs senior management positions, no change in responsibilities. Assistant Dean of Student Affairs: (South Dakota State University January 2000 2007) Supervise the department heads of six student affairs units including Residential Life, Food Service, Student Health and Counseling, Disability Services, International Student Affairs and Judicial Affairs. Indirect supervision of the more than 200 staff assigned to these departments. Achievements While Serving Improved health care access by phasing in insurance billing capacities in the Student Health Clinic. Involved becoming electronic health record compliant, and completing code training for all providers. New system has produced more than $250,000 for Division priorities compared to previous administrative approach. Implemented the Dakota Return, a new non-resident child of alumni program for first-year and transfer students. Program provides a tuition waiver down to residential rates for non-residents to attend SDSU. First-year implementation exceeded target enrollments by 64 students, adding more than $300,000 annually to university revenues beyond the cost of awards. 2

Co-created and implemented with Health Science Deans an entity called SDSU Health. This new initiative was an answer to the president s challenge to create a culture of health and wellness throughout the campus and beyond. Program components include opportunities for cross-discipline training, undergraduate research and a curriculum of socially-normed fitness activities paired with highprofile campus events such as Elevator Avoidance Day, Off-The-Grid Day and How s Your Checkbook financial education. Collaborated with elected student leadership to develop, draft and ultimately approve five-year strategic plan for General Activity Fee revenues. Plan elements include $20 million in Wellness Center and Student Union expansions, additional personnel for Career Development, and the seed money for a campus/city shared mass transportation system. Founded the Residential Life Advisory Roundtable to communicate with key campus stakeholders regarding residential life operations, and its impacts on student success and retention. Invited representatives from athletics, the Deans, faculty senate, food service and residential life professional and student staff and student senate to serve. Co-chaired with Honors College Dean. Authored document demonstrating compliance with a 2% maintenance and repair requirement imposed by the Board of Regents for auxiliary enterprise buildings. Coordinated team of Facility Services, Student Affairs and Budget and Finance executives to develop highly specific long-range plans to re-invest 2% of building value annually in bookstore, parking lots, residence hall system, union facilities, and the wellness center. Directed efforts toward the creation of South Dakota s first-ever public/private partnership on an upscale apartment campus edge development. Improving amenities, density of housing and creating mixed use retail outlets to add attractive features to an under-utilized but well-positioned corner of campus. Provided leadership of campus team for development and construction of $40- million, four-building residential complex adding 800 beds to residence hall system. Opened in fall 2013 to 96% plus capacity at top price point in residence hall system. Coordinated facility-planning consultants, and industry-leading private housing developers in three-year process proposing conceptual plan for graduate student apartments, retirement village, hotel/conference center and university museum complex for campus master plan. Supplied leadership for campus team in development and construction of $20- million, three-building complex adding 411 beds to campus residence hall system and remodeled traditional hall to improve undergraduate retention. New 3

construction opened in fall 2009, rented to capacity in just three days. Remodeled hall achieved 83% retention rate, highest rate in system, even out-performing new construction. Project leader in development and design of $10 million Wellness Center, opened in 2008. Successfully sought and secured City of Brookings partnership in construction of Wellness Center, tripled community memberships in facility during first-year of operation. Proposed, developed and ultimately constructed of $10 million suite-style building, the first new residence hall on our campus in 40 years. Three hundredbed facility opened to full occupancy in 2005. Developed and implemented three-year $9 million plan to refurbish all university residence hall rooms, changed out all fixed furnishings returning 40% of floor space to student-defined furnishing configurations. Member of negotiation team which successfully secured $7.3 million capital contribution to student union renovation from food service vendor, across the last three years. Created a judicial affairs social norming campaign which contributed to a 13% decline in alcohol violations during implementation. Re-organized student health after departure of physician and implemented a nurse practitioner model resulting in an expanded service provision capacity with reduced cost, Director of Residential Life: (South Dakota State University August 1998 December 1999) Responsible for the overall management of a residential life system with an annual budget of $5 million and a housing capacity of 3,300 in eight residence halls and two apartment complexes. Achievements While Serving Tripled budget surplus in first-year of operations. Identified additional revenue streams in utilities, standard billing practices, and summer conference operations. Initiated major lounge furniture purchases for first major upgrade in more than 10 years. Implemented $250,000 wiring project to ensure direct internet access for every residential student. Improved pay standards for hall director and custodian positions. 4

Highlights of Recent Institutional Program Support & Advising Behavioral Intervention Team: (2011-Present) Provided leadership to this crossdisciplinary body including faculty, law enforcement personnel, counselors, human resource specialists, hazard material specialists and athletic department senior staff and student affairs department heads. Group is assigned the function of managing students, faculty and staff who maybe exhibiting behavioral health difficulties. Decentralized Budget Implementation Task Force: (2013) Served as Student Affairs representative to planning group charged with orchestrating transition from incremental/centralized budgeting authority to decentralized/college centric budget model. Attended site visit to Iowa State University to review earlier implementation of DCB model. Evaluation Task Force of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: (2013) Appointed by Provost to lead evaluation team for Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. Chaired group composed of faculty, department heads, Deans, Assistant Deans and students. BETA tested new evaluation instrument for IDEA Center in Kansas. Recommendation to standardize on new instrument endorsed by University leadership. Committee Restructuring Task Force: (2011) Selected by Provost to lead interdisciplinary group charged with the streamlining and consolidation of outmoded committee university-wide committee structure. Reduced number of standing committees from 56 to 20, standardized reporting and appointment structures, vetted plans with campus stakeholders, work was hailed by campus as a major step forward in effectiveness and shared governance. Student Affairs Division Strategic Planning: (2013 and 2008) Served on the team that did the initial drafting of Division s strategic plan. Graduate Instructor in Sociology/Guest Lecturer for Honors College: Taught Qualitative Research Methods (Soc. 711). Annually present ethics unit in Honors introduction courses. Served as Graduate School Representative on variety of Master s and Doctoral Students Committees. Research Interests: Student retention, content analysis methods, and gender expression. Higher Learning Commission North Central Association Accreditation Review Team, (South Dakota State University). Serving on university-wide steering committee for re-accreditation visit in 2019. Previously served on Criterion Two sub-committee charged with the review of SDSU s strategic planning efforts since last institution-wide accreditation study conducted in 2010. Mascot / Logo Development Committee, (South Dakota State University). Student Affairs representative to university-wide committee which developed and implemented 5

the new SDSU Jackrabbit and other associated university identifiers and trademarked fonts. NCAA Certification Steering Committee, (South Dakota State University). Served on the leadership team of extensive university-wide committee responsible for the intensive self-study required for transition to Division I athletics. Chaired the sub-committee on Student-Athlete Well-Being and Safety. Jackrabbit Reception Recruitment Team, (South Dakota State University). Part of university-wide team which hosted recruiting receptions for academically talented high school seniors. Performed public relations functions for the university and distributed residence hall, food service and Honors College marketing materials. Delivered the keynote address at these functions. New Student Orientation Parent Relations (South Dakota State University) Presented program to 2,000 parents annually regarding social adjustments to college life. Evaluations indicate this is the top-rated session of the two-day program. Covered topics like separation anxiety, substance abuse, roommate conflicts, academic success, etc. Social Responsibility Committee (South Dakota State University) Presidentially appointed committee tasked with creating programs and activities which would assist SDSU in graduating more civic-minded students. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (South Dakota State University) Served as student affairs representative to this standing committee which has produced an anthology on best practices in this area of inquiry. Selected Committees & Councils Academic Council (2000-Present) Alcohol Education Committee (1998-2000) Alcohol Sales on Campus Task Force (August 2015-Present) SDSU Foundation Scholarship Committee (2012-Present) South Dakota Board of Regents Student Affairs Council (2007-Present) South Dakota Board of Regents Tuition Restructuring Committee (2012-Present) University Food Service Advisory Committee (1998-Present) Risk Management Committee (1998-Present) Graduate Intern Site Supervisor Dept. of Education & Counseling (1998-Present) Previous Professional Experience & Activities Director of Residential Life, (Emporia State University, July 1996-August 1998).Daily management of residence hall system with a budget of $1.9 million and a housing capacity of 1,200 students housed in eight residence halls and one apartment complex. 6

Achievements While Serving In first year as director system experienced first increase in occupancy in more than five years. (Up 3.6% in fall and 4.1% spring). Apartment occupancy up 29% in second year of operation. Applications for fall 1998 residence hall space up 23% ahead of last year. Established new revenue stream with convenience food sales at hall desks. Oversaw $200,000 summer conference operation, improved space utilization of conference program. Acting Director of Residence Life, (University of Nebraska at Kearney, January 1996- April 1996). Assumed management responsibility for daily operations of the Office of Residence Life while the director served in an acting assistant vice presidential role. Assistant Director of Residence Life/Staffing, (University of Nebraska at Kearney, July 1989-July 1996). Directly responsible for supervision of in-hall personnel including two area coordinators, 14 hall directors and 66 resident advisors. Directed all aspects of recruitment, training, evaluation, probation, termination and promotion of residence hall personnel. Chaired all department searches for professional staff vacancies. Directed and supervised departmental discipline system and managed $15,000 student damage billing system. Coordinated department-wide policy development and cooperatively supervised maintenance, paint and custodial personnel. Assisted with management of annual budget of approximately $2.1 million for a residence life system serving 2,600 students. Complex Director, (University of North Dakota, July 1987-June 1989). Managed a complex of six residence halls housing 850 students, supervised a staff of six hall directors, 20 residence assistants, 12 desk clerks and three office support staff. Managed all work orders for maintenance and custodial work done in complex. Responsible for disciplinary appeals, audited desk funds, instructed RA class, and management of campus-wide student damage billing. Hall Director, (Eastern Illinois University, August 1985-May 1987). Responsible for the overall management of a coed hall of 150 students. Supervised four resident assistants, 12 desk clerks and a hall council. Mediated discipline hearings, determined sanctions coordinated programming, and initiated all custodial and maintenance requests. Food Service Bid Committee Chairperson, (University of Nebraska at Kearney, November 1994-February 1995). Chaired university-wide committee devoted to evaluation, recommendation, and the selection of a contractor for university food services. Developed bid specifications, conducted site visits, analyzed financial data, and reviewed corporate character of five national companies competing for UNK s 4-year, $10 million contract. National Residence Hall Honorary Advisor, (University of North Dakota, July 1988- June 1989). Assisted NRHH leadership with various projects including the planning and 7

production of an alumni newsletter, sale of finals survival kits, and the supervision of the annual banquet. Academic Assistance Counselor, (Eastern Illinois University, 1985). Counseled conditionally admitted minority and academically disadvantaged students in weekly oneon-one meetings. Monitored student progress with grade checks and faculty contacts, also presented academic skill-building sessions. Honors & Activities Volga City Councilor (May 2017-Present) Elected to serve on five-member board governing the municipality in which I reside. Chair the Fire and Security Committee approving expenditures and policies for fire and policing operations within the city. Featured Speaker at Upper Midwest Region-Association of College and University Housing Officers (UMR-ACUHO) Fall Conference (2014). Delivered two featured speaker addresses; one speech regarding reflections of nearly thirty years in higher education; the second speech drew leadership lessons from the tragic loss of the Titanic. Sioux Valley School Board: (July 2006-July 2016) Elected to third three-year term on K-12 public school district. Served as President of the five-member board since 2009. Major accomplishments include construction of new $3 million Performing Arts Center. Youth and Middle School Football Coach: (2008-2012) Assisted with practices for 5 th grade to 8 th grade program. Specializing in offensive and defensive line coaching. Cub Scout/Boy Scout Leader: (2006-2010) Served as Den leader for local Scouting organization. Upper Midwest Region-Association of College and University Housing Officers (UMR-ACUHO) President (1999). Elected by membership of eight-state regional professional association to serve as its president. Duties include serving one year as vice president, presiding over all meetings, communicating with membership, appointing standing committee-chairs, supervising a $65,000 budget, and serving as representative of UMR to other professional organizations. Upper Midwest Region-Association of College and University Housing Officers (UMR-ACUHO) Vice President/President Elect, (November 1997-Present). Assumed duties of the President in his absence. Coordinated committee work of the organization and managed all honorary awards of this residential life professional organization. UMR-ACUHO Member-at-Large, (November 1995-November 1997). Responsibilities included working with CHOs in North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Initiated a study of small school needs which resulted in a survey, focus groups at the annual conference, newsletter articles and renewed attention toward serving small school needs. 8

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