It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that things are changing at IU Southeast, and Seuth Chaleunphonh, the new dean of Student Life, is making sure of that.

Chaleunphonh has taken on his new position with high hopes for the future. As dean of Student Life, he has taken on the responsibilities of the old director of Campus Life position.

A day on campus for Chaleunphonh usually consists of attending two or more student related programs or events, staff meetings working on upcoming projects and looking for ways to improve the Campus Life department.

Chaleunphonh said his favorite thing about the IUS campus is the familiar atmosphere.

“I really like the fact that students really feel at home here,” he said.

He said believes most students come to IU Southeast because they feel at home and the people here are very open.

“I have been 99 percent successful in greeting people and smiling at people and having that reciprocated,” Chaleunphonh said.

There is a specific time for everything. Chaleunphonh said he feels that this is the right time for change, a change from a partial college experience to the real deal.

“Because we have gotten new residence halls this year, we wanted to create more of a complete college experience,” he said.

Campus Life is trying to develop more school pride and an improvement in the overall student experience.
Chaleunphonh said his goal is to create a more united campus, where students feel they are welcomed at IU Southeast.

He said he does not want for students to settle for IU Southeast until they transfer to another university, but to have the will to stay until they graduate. He said he wants to build relationships among students, instead of students coming to school, going to class and going back to their cars.

Cari Edwards, office assistant at Campus Life, said Chaleunphonh has many great ideas.

“I think that Seuth is very interested in students, and he is very excited about campus life,” she said.

Edwards said she believes that Chaleunphonh is passionate about what he does, and he cares about students.

“He remembers all the students that he has met by their names, as if he has been here a long time,” she said.

Attendance at school functions and sporting events is another item on Chaleunphonh’s list. He said he has seen a significant improvement so far this year.

“I was at a spirit club meeting this week, and the athletic department has even noticed more attendance,” he said.

He has a great amount of experience and an extreme focus on his goal. With the ball rolling, we will be seeing many new improvements in campus life around IU Southeast and hopefully we will become a more united campus.

Chaleunphonh is originally from Seattle. He attended North Park University in Chicago and did his undergraduate work in physics and sociology. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a master’s degree in social work. He also graduated from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. with a master’s degree in educational leadership.

In his spare time, Chaleunphonh likes to garden, read biographies and play sports such as golf, tennis and bowling. He said he also looks forward to playing foosball with students on campus.

By NATALIE DEDAS
Staff Writer
natdedas@ius.edu