Kathy Fahl was named Ohio University’s new assistant dean of students on Monday.
Fahl will begin her position August 13, earning an annual base salary will be $64,980 with a relocation allowance up to $10,000.
In the position, Fahl will help the Division of Student Affairs with several initiatives, including the food pantry and developing emergency mini-grants for students in crisis situations.
“All of those things I think feed into issues around retention,” Fahl said. “When students aren’t able to take care of their basic needs, it’s really hard to focus on studying and being in school, so in the end when we can support students, they are better able to continue their education.”
Fahl previously served as the University of Oklahoma’s director of Gender and Equality Center for 11 years. During that job, she worked with students who experienced trauma, harassment, discrimination and marginalization. She also ran the center’s 24/7 crisis intervention service for people experiencing gender-based violence.
“Those are certainly skills that are applicable to working with other communities and groups that are facing those examples of marginalization,” Fahl said. “Understanding of the needs of individuals and communities and how to work in a community collaboratively is really important to building resources and support.”
She is a licensed social worker and got a bachelor’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. She earned a master’s degree in social work with a focus in community practice and administration at Wayne State University.
“We’re very excited to have someone coming that can help us get through this but also work around the data around retention and graduation as well,” said Jason Pina, OU’s vice president of Student Affairs.
