TCU administrators today announced the appointment of Dr. Kathryn Cavins-Tull as the new Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, effective July 1, 2011. She replaces Dr. Don B. Mills who is shifting roles at TCU to become Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership in the College of Education.

Dr. Cavins-Tull comes to TCU from Bloomington, IL, where she has been the vice president for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at Illinois Wesleyan University since 2005. Through that role, she successfully managed student development and orientation functions, had oversight of all student activities, provided training and leadership for campus life and served as university consultant for handling behavioral and psychological problems of students, among other things.

Prior to that, she held various student services-related positions at Western Illinois University between 1987-2005, culminating her career there as associate vice president for Student Services. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Illinois and a Ph.D. degree in philosophy from Illinois State University.

“Dr. Cavins-Tull will be a tremendous asset to TCU in her new role as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr. “Her extensive background in Student Affairs, along with her enthusiasm and vigor set her apart from other candidates.”

The University assembled a national search committee, chaired by Provost Nowell Donovan, to evaluate candidates for the position.