Mariah Joyce
News Editor
On March 6, Amber Zifzal left her position as director of Residence Life at The College of Wooster; Associate Dean of Students Christie Bing-Kracker will also be leaving at the end of this year.
According to Dean of Students Kurt Holmes, Zifzal will move to Muskingum University “in a role that she finds challenging,” in a move that also puts her closer to her family. Zifzal previously worked at Muskingum as part of the Residence Life staff and will be returning, but this time in the office of judicial affairs.
Since Zifzal’s departure, according to Kracker, responsibilities are being shared between the remaining members of the Residence Life staff: Kracker, Area Director Dennis LoConti, Area Director Amy Burroughs and Residence Life Administrative Coordinator Angela Sponsler.
Though Zifzal’s departure came just before the student housing selection process, which often seems like a hectic time on campus, Kracker feels confident that “the team will pull together and have a very successful process this year.”
“We have already met with our RD and RA staff to walk them through the process,” said Kracker. “We asked for their feedback on past years and any insights they might have on making this process the best we can.”
Kracker acknowledged that “this is always an anxious time for students,” and said that the staff hopes “to provide information about the process as a whole as well as specifics about the individual processes.”
Holmes also expressed his confidence in a strong finish to the year, noting that “in some ways, a college runs on inertia in late March and April. The planning for spring semester happens in advance, so carrying forward is easier than when change happens in mid-fall.”
Holmes hopes to have the position of Associate Director of Residence Life filled by mid-summer, in time for the new hire to take the lead in training the new batch of Residence Assistants.
Zifzal will not be the only Residence Life staff member to leave this semester, however. Kracker will be tendering her resignation from the College at the end of this year. Kracker spent six years in a leadership position in Residence Life at another institution, before serving nine years at Wooster in the Residence Life office, first as joint associate dean of students and director of Residence Life, and then as associate dean of students as Zifzal moved into the position of director of Residence Life.
Kracker said that she is currently pursuing a number of Dean of Student and Vice President of Student Affairs positions across the country, and expressed her confidence that one of those opportunities would prove fruitful.
Holmes said that Kracker’s departure comes at a logical point in her career, saying that “she has gotten to the point in her career where it makes sense for her to pursue that ‘Chief Student Affairs Officer position.’“
Wooster appears to be pursuing an outside hire for Dean Kracker’s replacement, rather than promoting a professional from within the institution.
According to Holmes, the College is currently in the process of posting the position. Holmes is leading that search, and said that he expects strong national competition for the position.
Although the departure of Zifzal and Kracker means the loss of two key Residence Life staff members in one semester, Holmes is not concerned about the high rate of turnover in the Residence Life office.
According to Holmes, while faculty members (especially those seeking tenure) typically look to stay at the same institution for an extended period of time, initially as Assistant Professors on the tenure track and eventually as Associate Professors who have gained tenure, “Student Life staff typically move between institutions to advance in their careers … for new professionals a change every 2-5 years is pretty typical.”
Although Holmes said he is always happy for Residence Life staff and other student life professionals to stay on at Wooster as long as possible, he is never surprised when they move to a new institution to advance their careers.
Said Kracker, “I have had a tremendous nine years here at the College and feel I am ready to take on the next challenge in my career. The College’s faculty, staff and students will always hold a special place in my heart and I will always be proud to call myself a Fighting Scot.”