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Al Harris (WIU/VPC photo)
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Al Harris Named Admissions Director at WIU

August 12, 2010

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MACOMB, IL – Al Harris, associate vice president for student services at Western Illinois University, has agreed to serve as the associate vice president and undergraduate admissions director at WIU, effective Sept. 1, according to Vice President for Student Services Garry Johnson.

He will succeed Admissions Director Eric Campbell, who announced his resignation, effective Aug. 31. Harris, who has worked at Western since 1983, will oversee the undergraduate admissions program through June 30, 2011. A national search for a director will begin this fall, Johnson added.

"Al was set to retire in January (2011), but he has agreed to delay that for four months to get us through the academic year and the national search," Johnson said. "He will do a great job as our admissions director because he has a dedicated staff to work with, and he has years of experience in a variety of student services areas at Western. Al has always been committed to making Western a great place for students. He believes in student success and will work to that end."

Throughout his tenure, Harris has served as the director of the University Union, director of residential facilities and dining services, assistant director of residential programs and facilities, associate director of the University Union and director of the University Union Bookstore. He was named associate vice president for student services in 2005, and took on added responsibilities of overseeing University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS) and the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center. As the associate VP, he also continued to supervise the University Union, Auxiliary Facilities System budget, Campus Recreation, Go West Transit, University Food Services, WIU Childcare and the University Golf Course.

Harris received an Administrative Distinguished Service Award from Western in 1999 and a Student Services Top Flight Team Award that same year. He is the chair of Western's Auxiliary System Budget subcommittee and was a member of the NCA Reaccreditation subcommittee. Harris earned his bachelor's degree in 1974 from Monmouth College and his master's degree from Western in 1985.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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