Share Tweet Share Email

Purnell to lead Military Student Services

October 3, 2013
Jarvis Purnell

Jarvis Purnell

Jarvis Purnell, director of Off-Campus & Non-Traditional Student Services since the spring of 2012, has been named director of Military Student Services.

Purnell will oversee both departments, as he has done since last fall, when he became the acting director of Military Student Services.

Over the course of the current academic year, Purnell will have an active role in developing a strategic plan to identify how to move both departments forward in meeting the needs of students at NIU. Collaborating with students and other key constituencies will be an essential component for informing this strategic plan.

His career in higher education has included work with Housing & Dining, Career Services, Student Involvement & Leadership Development and retention programs.

“These experiences have provided Jarvis with additional insight that informs the work that he does on a daily basis,” said Eric Weldy, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“During his time on campus, Mr. Purnell has consistently worked to identify programming and resources to assist students in successfully transitioning to NIU.”

Purnell holds a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in student affairs and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and engineering technology, both from NIU.

He is involved nationally with NASPA and the National Coalition Building Institute, where he serves as a prejudice reduction trainer.