This school year IU Southeast has seen some major transitions and has welcomed many new students as well as new faculty.
Jason Meriwether is part of this new cabinet and the many changes that have taken place at IU Southeast. Meriwether is now serving as vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs said through out the 2013 – 2014 school year he plans to focus on student leadership and improving Greek life at IU Southeast.
Previously, Meriwether served as vice president of student engagement and enrollment management at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. He also served as dean of student affairs and director of Fisk University’s living learning center.
“My primary focus is to create a place for student leadership opportunities within the campus community.” Meriwether stated in his newsletter to IUS students.
Currently, Meriwether said the enrollment management and student affairs team is working on a five-year plan to enhance student’s experience. They want to give students a good access to information online and increase leadership opportunities.
Meriwether said more students are doing everything through social media, so he would like to use Twitter and Facebook and more online access. He said using the Internet is easier than making students go office to office for information they need.
“It makes since for them to have an online process to plan and prepare for programs.” Meriwether said.
He wants students to know he is accessible easily using Twitter, e-mail, or giving him a call.
Jenise Burks, served as SGA president while Meriwether was dean at Fisk University, said Meriwether was very easy to work with.
“He was very accessible. It was easy to catch Meriwether in his office or around campus.” She said.
While Meriwether is new to the IU Southeast campus he is adjusting very well.
“The people and staff here at IU Southeast are great,” Meriwether said.
He said he thinks IU Southeast has great students, and he is happy to meet every student because each student has a different story.
Burks believed that Meriwether was a great role model for not only her campus, but also herself.
“Meriwether changed me as a person. He was a strong figure and acted like a mentor,” Burks said.
Recently Meriwether said He saw a student wearing farming boots and went up to him starting a conversation about farming. Meriwether said this was great, as he knows that students do not expect to have “normal” conversations with a vice chancellor of their school.
He said he wants to add to the student experience through student-centered campus life, enhance the academic experience, global perspective, and robust leadership opportunities.
Meriwether said he wants IU Southeast to be a great place to further student learning.
He said he wants to use data to drive student decisions and improve the first year retention. He said this impacts college choices and decisions to stay enrolled on campus. He wants students to want to come back to IU Southeast to receive their degree.
“I want students’ experience here at IU Southeast to be remarkable.” Meriwether said.
