Baumgardner Named New Assistant Director of Residence Life

As part of his duties, Baumgardner will be responsible for helping with retention efforts at SUNY Plattsburgh, particularly in the new Whiteface Initiative for Students Engagements (WISE) Project. Beginning in the fall, 240 freshmen will be housed in Whiteface Residence Hall as part of the project. These students will be assisted by specially designed programming and academic advising to meet the needs of freshmen.

Baumgardner said he was looking forward to starting his work as assistant director of residence life.

"I will be working with the resident assistants and mentors to ensure that new students are able to make early connections to SUNY Plattsburgh," said Baumgardner. "We want these students to develop both personally and academically, and we want them to feel comfortable and at home here."

Baumgardner comes to SUNY Plattsburgh from Castleton State College in Vermont where he served as area coordinator and managed three residence halls. Originally from Albany, N.Y., he received his undergraduate degree in sociology from Middlebury College in 2000 and a master's degree in higher education from Columbia University in 2003.

"In addition to the type of job that I will be required to do, I wanted to come to Plattsburgh because I have always loved upstate New York and Vermont," he said. "This is really a beautiful area to live and work."

Baumgardner has set several goals for himself in his new role at SUNY Plattsburgh.

"I have a solid background in residence life," he said. "My main goal is to ensure that the WISE project is very successful. I also want to personally connect with as many students as I can and to work with faculty and colleagues to develop positive programs. Many people I met during my recent visit to the campus had so many wonderful things to say about SUNY Plattsburgh. I am excited and I look forward to being a part of this College."

-- 30 --