Email and Zoom.
Without them, Janelle Hill would hardly know her new staff and colleagues at St. Joseph’s College. With them, she’s been able to flourish during her first two months as the College’s associate vice president for student life, after arriving at St. Joseph’s during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic.
“These are challenging times for everyone, and transitioning into a role during a pandemic has presented its own nuanced challenges,” said Hill, who previously worked in student affairs at Lehman College in the Bronx. “Many of the introductions that I would have loved to have in-person have been via email and Zoom.
“However, I am very grateful that those who I have had the opportunity to work with thus far, have been so welcoming and warm to my arrival,” added Hill, who is pursuing an Ed.D. at University of Illinois in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a specialization in Diversity and Equity in Education.
In her role at SJC, Hill serves on the president’s cabinet, bringing her expertise in civic responsibility, diversity, academic integrity, leadership development, and sexual assault and violence to the forefront.
“We are thrilled to have Janelle with us — she has impressive experience as an administrator in student life, a wide knowledge of our programs and approaches, and a deep understanding of the challenges and issues facing our students today,” St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., said.
Hill started at St. Joseph’s on April 6, three weeks after the College decided to temporarily close its physical campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Having worked the prior seven years in student affairs at Lehman, she was most recently the confidential executive officer in the Office of Vice President of Student Affairs.
“I am extremely pleased and fortunate to have Janelle Hill join our Student Life division,” said Shantey Hill-Hanna, St. Joseph’s vice president for athletics and campus services and the interim vice president for student affairs. “Her diverse experience within student affairs and in higher education will prove beneficial for SJC in fostering an environment that is committed to ensuring that the experiential learning our students receive is steeped in integrity, social responsibility, spirituality, intellectual curiosity and service.”
“With her leadership, I am confident that our Long Island Student Life department will be very well positioned to meet the growing needs of our student body,” added Hill-Hanna, who is also chair, physical education, at the College.
Hill, who is married and has two young children, said she is committed to student success, and ensuring that student life programs and initiatives facilitate student retention and completion.
“This can be accomplished through the development of intentional programming and annual assessment initiatives,” she said. “I am thrilled to be part of the St. Joseph College community and look forward to continuing to partner with staff, faculty and students in support of the College’s mission and motto: Esse non videri — ‘To be, not to seem.’”
During her first weeks on the job, Hill has been impressed by the collaborative environment, strong traditions and commitment to student success at St. Joseph’s.
“The Student Life staff is a great team — their flexibility, adaptability, and creativity during these times have been a great display of their commitment to the college and our students,” Hill said. “I am proud to be part of a team that continues to provide exceptional services to our students and the ability to ‘carry on’ even through these unprecedented times.”
At Lehman, Hill worked collaboratively to increase the school’s efforts in regards to Title IX education by expanding its divisional educational programming initiatives around sexual assault and domestic violence. Additionally, she led the Divisional Assessment Council, which provides oversight and educational opportunities for divisional assessment efforts.
She also served on a variety of divisional, campus-wide, and CUNY committees, including Lehman’s Middle States Accreditation Working Group – Standard IV.
