Dean of Students Named

Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and The Ohio State University at Newark announce the appointment of John Davenport, PhD, as the institutions’ dean of students/director of student life. The position is shared by the two institutions and reports directly to the COTC president and the Ohio State Newark dean and director. Davenport assumed his role on Sept. 26.

As dean of students/director of student life, Davenport will be responsible for working collaboratively with senior leadership to create a campus culture that promotes student success, provides a safe and welcoming campus environment for a diverse student body, and fosters a sense of community among the students. Additionally, he will provide leadership and strategic direction to all student life units including counseling services, disability services, career services, multicultural affairs, student activities and recreational sports.

“John emerged from a pool of highly qualified candidates, and we are thrilled he has accepted,” said COTC President John Berry, PhD. Ohio State Newark Dean and Director William MacDonald, PhD, added, “John brings the experience and leadership to help us take the student experience to new heights.”

After starting his student affairs career in sorority and fraternity life, Davenport spent 10 years in residential life and 16 years in the Illinois State University Dean of Students office, serving the last five as assistant vice-president/dean of students. His experiences ranged from coordinating crisis response teams to facilitating various civic-engagement initiatives and advising multiple student organizations. Always seeking ways to contribute to the communities in which he lives, Davenport has served on the Board of the UNITY Community Center and the Mclean County Museum of History, been the lead facilitator for the Passport to Manhood program at a local Boys and Girls Club, volunteered at the YMCA, and served as the chair of the Champaign-Urbana Guide Right mentoring program.

“Since beginning my student affairs career, I’ve dedicated myself to serving students and helping them to maximize their potential,” said Davenport. “I plan to continue this work here at Ohio State Newark and COTC and I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues while continuing to learn and grow.”

Davenport holds a PhD in Education from Illinois State University, an MS in Education with a specialty in college student personnel from Eastern Illinois University and a BA in Sociology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

A national search began in May 2022. “Our thanks go to the search committee of faculty and staff led by Vice President and Chief of Staff Jackie Parrill,” Berry added. “Their work has led to the best possible choice for this position and our institutions moving forward. We also want to thank Dr. Parrill, who has served as our interim chief student affairs officer for the past several months. We are grateful for her leadership and look forward to her continued service to our institutions.”