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Who’s in Charge?

by Rachel Burke

Since former Dean of Work Rob Weis left, Director of Career Services Suzanne Krupica took his place until Blackburn College could find a new manager. There have been many candidates for the position of Dean of Work, and the college has decided on Angela Morenz.

Morenz was a former Blackburn student who worked as a manager for campus services and was a physical education professor for five years in addition to the athletic director. Provost John McClusky said, “She knows Blackburn, knows the work program and is passionate about the student experience.”

Morenz heard about the job opening from a few Blackburn staff members, which prompted her to apply. She sees this position as an “… opportunity to work with students again, to teach, to mentor.” She said the work program is like a larger version of a classroom where she can work with a variety of students.

As far as changes go, Morenz said she still needs to find her ground. However, she does want to work on the message of the work program, focusing on what it means to students based on their experiences. She wants to unify the campus around the work program because she views it as an integral part of the Blackburn community.

Currently the athletic commissioner for the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Morenz wants to help wrap up the winter season and begin her work at Blackburn. Her new position will be effective on March 5, but the transition has already begun. She has come to work committee meetings and was present for all of the general manager interviews. As the interim Director of Work, Krupica will continue to help Morenz with her transition, as will McClusky.

March 5 is a good time for Morenz to start, so she can have one week with the students before they leave for spring break. She wants to take the week of spring break to absorb all of her responsibilities as the new Dean of Work. “I want to dig my feet in first,” she said, “so when everyone comes back from spring break I can hit the ground running.” She acknowledged the problems that the college has been focusing on in terms of diversity in the work program. She revealed that the issue is something that has been talked about from the beginning of this process. This is an issue that she takes as seriously as the school.

During the vacancy, there were minimal problems, according to McClusky. He admitted, “When someone important like Rob leaves, there’s always an impact.” The adjustments from Weis to Krupica and now to Morenz caused additional time and stress to certain routines, but McClusky said everyone has done a great job in dealing with it. Now that Morenz is filling the position, she has high hopes for her future at Blackburn and is looking forward to getting settled.

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