The Ohio State University today named Melissa Shivers its new vice president for student life, effective Jan. 6, 2020.

Shivers has served as vice president for student life at the University of Iowa since June 2017.

"I could not be more grateful to the University of Iowa community for the opportunity to serve as the vice president for student life. It has been an honor to work closely with so many talented staff and faculty," Shivers says. "I want to extend my deepest thanks to the students. There are no words to describe how much they made me feel a part of the Hawkeye community. They are truly my motivation and inspiration and I will be forever grateful."

UI President Bruce Harreld says Shivers arrived on the UI campus ready to meet lofty expectations, which she has exceeded.

“During her time on our campus, she has left an indelible mark that will stay with our students and each of us for years to come. And over the next several months we will celebrate all of her accomplishments, which have placed our campus and our students in a position to succeed,” says Harreld.

Before coming to the UI, Shivers spent seven years at the University of Tennessee, where she held various roles, including associate vice chancellor for student life and dean of students. She also held positions at the University of Georgia, Clemson University, and Georgia Southern University.

“It has been an honor to partner with President Bruce Harreld, who believed in our shared responsibilities for our campus community and was dedicated to a new vision for the Division of Student Life,” says Shivers.

In consultation with shared governance leaders, the university will begin an internal search to fill the position of vice president for student life. A search committee will be named shortly.