The 2011 school year has officially started, and returning Tech students have probably noticed a few changes around campus.

There are the more obvious changes, like the addition of the Baswell Techionary and the three pedestrian gates that have been added to keep drivers out of certain areas. However, other changes some students might not see right away are personnel changes.

Student Services has seen people come and go over the years, and this school year is no different. Perhaps one of the biggest changes student services saw this year was a change in leadership.

Susie Nicholson is now the vice president of student affairs. Together with Amy Pennington (now the dean of student services), both of them have taken the top two leadership positions within the student services department.

According to Nicholson, Pennington has “extensive experience” from working so many different jobs across the Arkansas Tech campus.

Pennington has a degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas.

Nicholson has her own “extensive experience” having worked directly with Dr. Robert Brown, Tech president, in the administrative offices, as assistant to the president for university relations.

Another change is that Kevin Solomon became the associate dean for student success. He used to work in residence life, but now he’ll be overseeing things like student activities, parent relations, the Student Activities Board, and more.

“It’s really great for him and us. He brings a wealth of experience,” said Nicholson.

In regard to Jamie Beck taking over Greek life, Nicholson said Beck, “hit the ground running.”

Jeff Hudnell, who works in career services, picked up the Bridge to Excellence program.

“The reason we asked him was because he was tagged by several students as a ‘super mentor’,” Nicholson said.  “It seemed like a natural thing.”

It may seem unnatural to have such a large shift in personnel, but Nicholson attributed a majority of it to people leaving over the summer and transferring to other areas to work.