William Kibler named student affairs V.P. at MSU

Contact: Joe Farris

A veteran student affairs administrator with experience at major Texas and Florida universities will become vice president for student affairs at Mississippi State.

William L. Kibler will join the Starkville university by early June. His appointment was approved Thursday (March 18) by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Kibler has served for the past nine years as associate vice president and currently is interim vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M. In addition to overseeing 280 professional staff members and a budget of more than $70 million, he is an associate professor of educational administration and human resource development.

At Mississippi State, he will head the division responsible for enrollment services, housing, financial aid, health services, student organizations, counseling, police, recreational sports, and other student service functions.

"Dr. Kibler has a long record of solid performance and experience in every aspect of student affairs," said MSU President Charles Lee. "He brings a combination of administrative talent and rapport with students that will help us build on our excellent programs and services that enhance student life and development."

In addition to gaining the support of faculty and staff on campus, Kibler "also was the choice of Mississippi State student leaders with whom he met," Lee added.

Kibler received bachelor's, master's, and educational specialist degrees from the University of Florida, where he began his student affairs career. He completed a doctorate from Texas A&M, which he joined in 1980.

Active in national professional organizations, he has published and presented extensively on a variety of student affairs issues. He also has been heavily involved in civic and community affairs.

Kibler's appointment follows a nationwide search that attracted about 50 applicants and nominees. He is married and the father of six children.

He succeeds Roy Ruby, who gave up the vice president's post in late 2002 to become dean of the MSU College of Education. Associate vice president Jimmy Abraham has served as interim head of the student affairs division.

"Dr. Abraham has provided unselfish leadership during this interim time and continues to be a very important part of this leadership team," Lee said.