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| 09-28-2004 | Previous edition: 09-27-2004 |
        
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Printer-friendly version New assistant dean wants to make impactBy Philip MeekerStaff Writer The new assistant dean of students began his quest to "leave a legacy" on Monday. Jason Casares, who comes from Texas Tech University, will be working with the over 600 student organizations and the Purdue multicultural and progressive direction groups, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. He will also work with Purdue’s 12 cooperative housing units. Casares' collegiate and work experience were part of the reason he was chosen, said Malavenda. At Ball State University he was a member of Phi Beta Sigma and was president of the Latino Student Union. He also served on the student government executive board. After graduating in 2000 with a double major in sociology and criminal justice, he went on to earn a master’s degree in sociology in May of 2002, and then a master’s with a focus on student affairs administration in higher education in the summer of 2003. Even the way he was brought up prepared him for the job. "I come from a single parent home," said Casares. "I’m really passionate about life in general. I have an appreciation for what it’s like to struggle as a student … I was the first in my entire family to go to college." Purdue's size, its reputation and the opportunity it provided to work with such a diverse body of students drew Casares to the job and caused him to quit as assistant unit coordinator for Texas Tech Housing and Residence Life, he said. Casares is learning the Purdue way, but he said he plans to take progressive stances. "I’m not talking about putting them on paper, but taking them into action," said Casares. At Ball State, Casares started the "Excel" program. Students of color were allowed to come two weeks early to a predominately white campus to meet with professors, participate in mock classrooms and become acquainted with what the university offered before other students showed up. Here, Casares wants to leave Purdue better than he found it. "I'm a person of my word and when I say I'll do something I generally follow through on it," Casares said. Any students who need to speak with the new dean can just walk in; Casares said that his door is always open. Printer-friendly version |
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