SMC Announces New Dean of Students

04/13/09

SPARTANBURG, SC – Spartanburg Methodist College recently chose the newest person to lead its student services programs as Dean of Students.

 Ron Laffitte will assume the duties of Dean of Students on July 1, 2009, following the retirement of outgoing Dean Dr. Art Hartzog who has served in the position for 10 years.

“When I visited the SMC campus, the first group I met with were students. That says a lot about the interview process – that they are very important to the institution.  I immediately sensed a real pride in the institution from everyone, a caring for the teaching functions of the faculty, and a family environment. Those were things that were immensely appealing to me,” say Laffitte.

Laffitte has 27 years of full-time staff management, programming, and student development experience, with 17 years specifically in the student activities/student affairs profession.

He currently serves as Associate Dean of Students at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, a position he has held for four years. He previously served at UT as the Director of Student Activities for six years.

“SMC’s search for a Dean of Students attracted many highly qualified student development professionals. There is no doubt that Art Hartzog’s reputation and influence in the field have shed a positive light on our campus. When Ron Lafitte visited us, every group that met with him felt his genuine interest in them and his enthusiasm for his work with students. For 27 years, he has been committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students. We are confident that his personal interest in students, his knowledge and expertise, and his desire to develop the whole student will enhance the SMC community,” says Ann Bowles, SMC Vice President for Academic Affairs.

As Dean of Students at SMC, Lafitte will have Student Activities and Leadership Development; Counseling; Campus Safety; Campus Post Office; Student Health Services; and Housing and Residence Life all under his direction.

Laffitte’s experience in higher education also includes roles as Assistant Director of Admissions and Graduate Advisor at the University of South Carolina; Assistant Union Director for Activities and Services at Clemson University; and Assistant University Center Director and Program Advisor at the University of Denver.

From these experiences, Laffitte says that he will be able “ to take away things I’ve learned and observed over the years in terms of staff management. I will bring that with me along with the belief in the institution.”

“Those of us in student affairs are here because we care about life outside the classroom and seeing students develop and grow.  Every student is important. It’s a little tougher at an institution with 21,000 students for them to know they’re important-  so the chance to work closer with students is very appealing,” he adds.

Among his goals are “to get to know the student development staff and set goals and objectives for the various areas, see how I can help them and contribute to their jobs, and develop strong relationships with the entire faculty, staff, and student body. I want them to know that the Dean of Students is a resource for them, no matter the situation. I want to learn how I can contribute to the overall campus as far as the strategic plan and strategic goals. I want to get to know the climate and culture of SMC and how we can all contribute to the students, the campus, and the community,” Laffitte says.

Laffitte, a South Carolina native, has a Master of Education in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Winthrop College.

He and his wife Polly have two children – Sarah, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, and Ron, a senior at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

“I’m excited to be coming home to my native state and extremely excited about working at Spartanburg Methodist College,” he states.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 98th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.   

For more information, please contact Brian Fulkerson, Director of Public Information, at (864) 587-4254.

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