Gina Vance named new vice president for student affairs

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Gina Vance has been named Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Westminster College.

“Ms. Vance has provided effective leadership in the student affairs division for many years and she is deeply committed to fostering the growth and well-being of our students. I look forward to working with her in her new role as vice president,” said Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.

Vance has an extensive background in student services. She joined the Westminster Student Affairs team in 2006 as assistant dean of Residence Life and was promoted to associate dean in 2009. In 2013, she transitioned to associate dean for Activities and Orientation and was appointed assistant vice president for Campus Engagement in 2018.

As vice president, Vance has oversight of Disability Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, Public Safety, Residence Life, Student Conduct, Student Success and Engagement and Student Wellness. She also takes on the role as the college’s Title IX coordinator and serves on the President’s Leadership Team.

During her career at Westminster, Vance established a new comprehensive and collaborative orientation and transition program for new incoming students, as well as a student leadership development program. She created online training for resident assistants, oversaw residence hall renovations and phase two construction of the townhouse residences in Berlin Village, implemented new administrative software for the student affairs division, and championed alcohol and sexual violence prevention education for new students. She helped develop the curriculum for and has taught the college transition course for first-year students, Westminster 101.

“I have loved working closely with students, at their best and at their worst, and am thrilled to take all they’ve taught me into my new role,” said Vance. “With a new generation of students at our doorstep, student affairs work is rapidly changing. Our team at Westminster College is deeply committed to student success which makes me proud to lead innovation and change as we support students’ Westminster experience.”

Vance earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Mount Union and a master’s in higher education administration and college personnel from Kent State University. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in higher education management from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to Westminster, she served as director of residence life and assistant dean of students at Ursuline College. She also worked in residence life at Baldwin Wallace University.

Originally from Struthers, Ohio, Vance currently resides in Hermitage with her husband, Mark, and three children.

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