Today's Update: Thursday, May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Dear Student Life team, 

I have often said that a growing organization is a changing organization, that an organization that is ever ready for transition is an organization that is dedicated to ongoing improvement. In that vein, I am writing to share a number of Student Life organizational updates that go into effect this week.  

Several weeks ago, Dr. Danny Glassmann informed me of his intent to leave Ohio State and his role as Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Support. Danny’s final day was May 5, 2025. I recognize the timing of this announcement may be surprising, so I want to share how important it was to Danny that, in his last weeks, he maintain his commitment to putting students first and delay the announcement until after this past weekend’s Commencement ceremony. 

Since joining Student Life in 2021, I have appreciated Danny’s service to our team, including but not limited to his collaborative, compassionate and energetic approach to student support. Just to name a few accomplishments, Danny demonstrated broad leadership in advancing post-pandemic student engagement strategies, facilitation of the Student Experience and Engagement Delegates (SEEDs) program and supporting the growth of collaboration with the regional campuses. Please join me in acknowledging Danny for his contributions at Ohio State and best wishes on his next professional efforts.  

Given Danny’s departure and other organizational changes that have been in progress over the past months, and in being always vigilant to identify opportunities to advance operational excellence, following are some important realignment updates: 

Holistic Student Support and Well-being: To advance a more nimble, collaborative and holistic engagement model, we are combining two of our focus areas (Student Engagement and Support, and Student Health and Well-being). The new portfolio will be focused on Holistic Student Support and Well-being. Ryan Lovell will serve as the Associate Vice President of this unified area. We will be sunsetting our former Dean of Students office model, and Ryan will work with the new, combined team on transition planning and next steps.

Strategy, Impact and Academic Partnerships: The Buckeye Commons that was announced a few weeks ago will become part of the Strategy, Impact and Academic Partnerships area. A national search for a leader of the Buckeye Commons will begin soon. 

I appreciate your support and patience as we work through this transition over the coming months. Thank you, as always, for your commitment to Ohio State students’, and our staff members’ ability to engage, learn and thrive at Ohio State, and beyond.

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life 
The Ohio State University