Corey Farris has been named West Virginia University’s dean of students, Vice President of Student Affairs Ken Gray announced. The appointment is effective immediately.
As dean of students, Farris is the primary student advocate and serves as a liaison between students, university administrators and community officials. He handles student issues such as discipline, student support and overall guidance.
“I meet regularly with students. I’m always looking to find out what’s on their minds – what’s going well and not so well,” Farris said. “As WVU continues to move forward and reach the goals of its 2020 strategic plan, I will continue to represent and help advance our student body.”
He also oversees the Office of Student Life, Housing and University Apartments, the Career Services Center, Adventure WV, the Student Recreation Center and Residential Education.
Farris has served as WVU’s interim dean of students since the division was reorganized in September 2010.
“Corey is an outstanding dean of students. He is an advocate for students and works hard to support their academic and personal success,” Gray said. “He works well with staff, faculty and the community to ensure that our students have a supportive and inclusive campus which enhances their ability to learn inside and outside of the classroom.
“He is also an expert in developing great town-grown relationships and will be instrumental in enriching student life in the greater Morgantown community.”
In his time at WVU, Farris has initiated the computerization of the University’s housing application and room selection process and created the WVU Help Center, among others.
Prior to this appointment, Farris was the director of Housing and University Apartments at WVU from 2005 and the assistant dean of students under the Office of Student Conduct.
Farris has been with the University since 1991. From 1991-96, he served as the coordinator for New Student Services. Then, he was the interim director for New Student Services from 1996-99, at which point he was named the assistant dean of students for Residential Education, a post he held from 1999-2004.
“Because I’ve been at WVU for a while, I’ve been able to build relationships. I’ve had the chance to interact with a lot of academic, administrative and Student Affairs representations. I know faculty, staff and employees at every level at the University,” Farris said. “When students come to me with an issue, it’s easier for me to be able to find solutions based on those previous relationships and experience.”
He spent one year as an assistant coordinator in WVU’s Conference Office in 1982 before moving onto positions at The Ohio State University and the University of Iowa.
Farris received a bachelor’s degree from WVU in business administration in 1981. Three years later, he graduated with a master’s degree in student personnel from Ohio State.
