Delores Carson Ass istant Vice President fo r Student Services Terry Davis Assistant Dean of Students Peggy Huckeba Assistant Dean of Students Carson Becomes Highest Ranking Female at Harding New Assistant Vice President Strives to Change Image of Student Services Office After a d istinguished career in al l levels of the educational system, Dr. Delores Carson assumed the position ofAssis tant Vice President for Studem Services in August 1999, becoming the highest ranking female in Harding University's 76-year history. Her new position places her in command of almost every aspect ofstudent life including housing, health services, scudenr activities, club activides and code of conducr. Ca rson calls the job "a natural ex tension ofpast experiences." She spent more than 20 years working in classrooms and administrat ion offices in three states before joining the Harding faculty as an education professor in 1995. Carson also set imo motion two maj or goals for her first year on the job. First, each of the 1,100 fres hmen met personally with Carson, Terry Davis or Peggy Huckeba, assistant deans of students, during the first semes ter. She also initiated a volunteer project with the city ofSearcy through freshmen Bible classes. One Saturday during (he semester, each Bible class volunteered time to work on a city project. During the first semester students prepared for the Holiday of Lights festivities in Searcy. During the second semester students planted "She brings a wealth of knowledge as an academic professor and she brings a woman's perspective in a top level position that will be helpful," P r~sident David Burks sa id. "Dr. Carson's position one ofthe mQst rewarding in terms of serving students. That's the attitude she's bringing." Upon ass uming her position, Carson promptly began the process of reestabl ishing the image of the Student Services office, from a place known for disciplining students to an office focused on bener serving students. "We' re here to serve stud en ts . This isn't just a place you come if you're in trouble. It's where students and facu lty come flowers and greenery along the city's recently completed bike trail. "The proj ect will help students bond with one another and feel li ke parr of the community, " Carson said. The volunteer projects refl ect the spiritual leadership that Harding strives to instill in students, according to Carson. "Anytime you se rve you feel bene r about who you are and what you're doing," Carson sa id. "Spiritual leadership and being a good citizen are what it means to be a Christian. " for enco urage - ment. I want them to feel comfortable Carson said she hopes to make the mOSt of her time with students. "We' re here to serve students. This isn't just a place you come ifyou're in trouble, " Carson said. "lr'swhere students and faculty come for encouragement. I want them to fee l comfortable and welcome when they come here." and welcomewhen "I try to make a difference in kids' lives and try to be a good influence," she said. "A teacher is typically with them more than the ir parents. Even here, college students look to us as Christian leaders. 1 want to be a they come here." -Dr. Delores Carson To emphasize the atmosphere of servanthood, she adopted 1Thessalon ians 2: 11-12 as a motto for the Scudent Services office. The verse reads, "For you know that we dealt with each ofyou as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urgi ng you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his J(jngdom and glory." positive rol e model for them. " While her new job takes her away from the classroom, Carson says it brings her to a di ffe rent level in education. "I look at it as seeing the bigger picture. There are more pieces to the puzzle now, «Carson said. "I only saw the classroom side before. Now, I see the whole person rather than just the part of the student chac's in che classroom." - Sarah Terry Student Deans 57
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