Eric A. Weldy
Following a 10-month national search, Northern Illinois University announced it has selected Eric A. Weldy, associate vice president for Student Affairs at Florida State University, as its new vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Weldy will assume his duties at NIU beginning July 1, 2013.
“In Eric, NIU found a great person to lead our Student Affairs and Enrollment Management division,” said incoming NIU President Douglas D. Baker.
“Not only is he a native of Illinois, he brings with him an extensive background in student affairs at major public research universities where he earned a reputation as a strong collaborator and a seasoned administrator. Most importantly, Eric retains his student-centered attitude and management approach, and I believe Eric will relate very well to NIU students.”
Since 2006, the native of Peoria, Ill., provided leadership support for 13 department heads within the Division of Student Affairs at Florida State. The division employs more than 400 staff members and has an $84 million operating budget. He remains student-centered in his focus and committed to collaboration as a means of creating a welcoming, supportive and challenging environment for all students.
“I am so excited about joining the NIU family. During my on-campus visit, I was so taken by everyone’s genuine devotion to the university and their eagerness to work together in making NIU an even stronger and vibrant community,” Weldy said. “NIU’s Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management has a reputation for being student-centered in its focus. Therefore, as vice president, I am eager to work collaboratively across the campus community to help develop programs and activities that will further engage and challenge our students allowing them to reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom.”
From 2004 to 2006, Weldy served as associate vice chancellor for Academic Support and Student Life at the University of Minnesota Duluth. During his tenure, Weldy provided guidance and leadership at the division-level for all strategic planning efforts and major assessment activities. He also led university efforts to address various student-related issues, such as college student binge drinking and helping to improve campus-community relations.
Weldy spent almost 10 years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1994 to 2004. In 2001, he was appointed assistant dean of students and adjunct assistant professor at the UIUC College of Education, following prior service as an admissions coordinator, graduate research and teaching assistant and fundraising coordinator.
From 1991 to 94, Weldy was director of Minority Affairs and Student Support Services at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., where he also served as a minority recruitment officer.
He began his professional career in 1989 as director of housing and residence life at Eureka College, where he was also an adjunct assistant professor and minority recruitment officer.
Weldy earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in art from Eureka and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in history at Illinois State University in Normal. He earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in higher education administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
