SU director of fraternity and sorority affairs appointed to direct Greek life and advancement at Penn State

SU director of fraternity and sorority affairs appointed to direct Greek life and advancement at Penn StateJuly 26, 2007Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Roy W. Baker, Syracuse University’s director of fraternity and sorority affairs in the Office of Student Life, will join Pennsylvania State University’s Division of Student Affairs as director of Greek life and advancement. Baker will leave SU effective Aug. 17 and will begin at Penn State in late August.

In his new role, Baker will be responsible for overall management of Greek life and will provide leadership for Penn State’s university-wide effort to strengthen its Greek community.

SU is conducting a national search for a new director of fraternity and sorority affairs, and anticipates having the new director on board during the Fall 2007 semester. Among other duties, the new director will be responsible for continued strategic efforts to improve alumni boards’ advising relationships with fraternities and sororities; and for maintaining strong relationships with national and international headquarters, alumni and business partners, and partners in the Central New York community. Interim leadership will be provided by Juanita Perez Williams, associate dean of students in the Office of Student Life, and her staff.

Baker joined SU in 2004 as the associate dean of students in the former Office of Greek Life and Experiential Learning (OGLEL). In 2006, when SU combined OGLEL and other units to form the Office of Student Life, Baker was appointed director of fraternity and sorority affairs. During his time at SU, Baker made considerable progress in revitalizing the SU Greek community, provided direction to the Onondagan yearbook, and managed a variety of student involvement initiatives.

“Roy has been instrumental in our fraternities’ and sororities’ renewed success in the area of self-governance, and he has taken Greek philanthropy and anti-violence efforts to new heights,” says Anastasia L. Urtz, associate vice president and dean of students. “We are grateful for Roy’s commitment to Greek life at Syracuse University, and we wish him the best in his new role at Penn State.”

Prior to joining SU, Baker was interim director of housing and residence life at Slippery Rock University; vice president and dean of students at Catawba College; associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority affairs at Bucknell University; and dean of students at Bluefield College. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in social welfare from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise-Clinch Valley College, a master of social work degree from St. Louis University and a doctor of education degree from the University of Virginia.

He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Delta Chi Outstanding Greek Professional Award, the Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity Service Award and the Forrest D. Brown Community Service Award. His professional affiliations include membership in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the Association of Fraternity Advisors, the Southern Association of College Student Affairs, the Association of College and University Housing Officers, the Southeastern Association of College and University Housing Officers, and the Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity.