The University of Iowa welcomed a new vice president for student life this fall.
Melissa Shivers came to the UI after 20 years of experience serving students at the University of Tennessee, University of Georgia, Clemson University, and Georgia Southern University. She started in July following the retirement of Tom Rocklin, who served the University of Iowa in various capacities for more than 30 years.
In her first semester as a Hawkeye and a member of the Iowa City community, Shivers has committed herself to empowering students to be successful and enhancing their experience here at Iowa. Before she began to serve as vice president for student life, she first attended a parent Orientation session to learn more about the questions posed by new first-year and transfer students as they enter the university. Shivers believes that experience helped her understand parent questions and concerns, as well as some of the first things she could do to build upon the Division of Student Life’s commitment to student success.
Shivers has identified her main goals at Iowa as enhancing health and safety, promoting multiculturalism, and enabling student leadership development. While she is new to the Big Ten, Shivers is already having a big impact on the Hawkeye family.