Dean of Students Dr. Carolyn V. Coon will serve as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs at Fresno State until the search for a new vice president is complete.

President Joseph I. Castro announced the appointment and said Dr. Coon will assume the duties on Dec. 15 and serve until a successor to retiring Vice President Paul Oliaro is named. The nationwide search is underway and is expected to be complete early in 2014.

Oliaro announced in September that he would retire at the end of December, after a 42-year career in the student affairs profession spanning four colleges – the last 11 years at Fresno State.

“Dr. Coon’s extensive experience in Student Affairs, including 11 years at Fresno State, her passionate commitment to serving students and her strong track record of collaboration across the campus will be invaluable as we transition to a new vice president,” said Castro.

Coon received her Ph.D. in College Student Personnel Services from Kansas State University and has worked in student affairs since 1986. Prior to coming to Fresno State in 2002, she served in assistant dean/dean positions at several liberal arts colleges in Kansas.

She also holds a master of science degree in Health Sciences Administration from Wichita State University and a bachelor of science in Business Administration from Bethel College (Kansas).