Maria Cruz-Saco, dean of the college, is impressed by Wesleyan students’ involvement outside of the classroom.   Posted 10/01/05 It didn’t take long to settle in. In just two months, Maria Cruz-Saco has begun spearheading residential life and student programming initiatives. She’s also creating a new position to oversee diversity and multicultural learning environments on campus and seeking ways to improve current student services. As the new dean of the college, Cruz-Saco oversees the Class Deans, Student Academic Resources, Student Services and Campus Programs. The latter includes Residential Life, Student Activities and Leadership Development, International Student Services, the Office of…

Persephone Hall, assistant director of Human Resources, posts job opportunities, searches through resumes and conducts interviews.   Posted 10/01/05 Q: What are some of your job duties as assistant Human Resources director?A: The thing I love most about my position is the variety. In my first six months, my primary responsibilities have revolved around working with hiring managers to recruit for and fill their job openings. I am beginning to help managers and employees with employee relations issues and in the near future, I look forward to developing training classes for managers and employees here at Wesleyan.Q: So, you’re fairly…

Fran Koerting, director of Residential Life, enjoys working with students.   Posted 10/01/05 After working in a variety of roles in higher-education, Fran Koerting has found her niche. “I love working directly with the students,” says Koerting, director of Residential Life. “I want to help make their Wesleyan experience a positive one.” Koerting spent the past eight years working as the director of Residential Life at Fairfield University. She came to Wesleyan in July. Koerting holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biology from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University.…

Imam Mahan Mirza, University Muslim Chaplain leads Qur’an Study Circles, and Islam Hour and sermons with Wesleyan's Muslim community.   Posted 10/01/05 Q: Mahan, when were you hired to be the new Muslim chaplain at Wesleyan?A: I was officially hired as of August 29, 2005.Q: Where did you grow up and when did you move to America?A: I grew up as the son of a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. My parents came from India into Pakistan when the country was divided in 1947. My grandparents are from various different parts of India. My first spoken language was…

Cliff Ashton, director of Physical Plant, oversees 75 full-time employees and 50 contract employees from the department's new home on Long Lane.   Posted 10/01/05 Q: Cliff, when did you become the new director of Physical Plant and what do you think of it so far?A: I came to Wesleyan in the middle of June 2005. The people here have been so nice and helpful getting me acclimated to the place. I look forward to a long career here.Q: What are your responsibilities?A: I'm responsible for overall operations and maintenance of the "physical plant" in other words most of the…

Francisco Rodriguez, assistant professor of economics and Latin American Studies is still getting settled into his new office. (Photo by Bill Burkhart)   Posted 10/01/05 Francisco Rodriguez has joined the Economics Department and Latin American Studies Department as an assistant professor. He accepted the position because of the “intellectual freedom and environment of a liberal arts institution, as well as the high quality and openness of both the Economics and Latin American Studies departments,” he says. Rodriguez’s research examines economic growth in developing countries and the interaction between inequality, distributive conflict and economic performance. He’ll be teaching classes on international…