A seasoned new vice president is joining CSI an open mind and listening ears
By: V.M. Ball
For Dr. Ruta Shah Gordon, the school year brought big changes; a new school, new office, and a shiny new title to go along with it: Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
“One of the things I appreciate about student affairs is working with the students and advocating for them,” said Gordon. “They have wonderful ideas and I want to help them crystallize these and make them happen.”
After transferring from Wagner College to CSI in August, Gordon hasn’t had a chance to become well known among students. Even so, she believes she has the spirit of the student body at heart.
Gordon has 23 years of experience under her belt from being the Vice President of Enrollment and Campus Life at Wagner. However, dealing with 2,315 students currently enrolled at Wagner is very different from the 12,797 at CSI.
With a realistic mindset and strong community values , Gordon is ready to make the best of a campus that only provides two Club Hours for students to regularly attend events on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Gordon wants to create traditions for students and get them more engaged in college life.
“There’s a lot more commuters but they’re passionate and want to do things,” said Gordon. “We can’t cater to everyone’s wants but my job is to help find the themes and create paths for that to happen.”
The biggest possible challenge for such a large and busy student body is awareness. Many only stay on campus when they have a break between classes or to speak with advisors. But with 18 reporting units under Gordon’s belt, campus traditions seem more plausible in upcoming semesters.
Having earned a PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University, Gordon is focused on applying her experience to change the CSI experience for the better.
“I think it’s the mantra of Student Affairs ‘Why do we have our jobs? Because of the students,’” said Gordon. “I would like to tell [the student body] that the people in this office care, how can you help us help you create a more engaged campus?”
