People

Rick Culliton, Dean of Students

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Rick Culliton is the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students at Wesleyan.  Dean rick1Culliton graduated from Boston College with a degree in English and Philosophy before earning his masters in higher education administration and his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Vermont. Prior to his work at Wesleyan, Dean Culliton worked in various student life positions at the University of Vermont. 

The dean of students at Wesleyan oversees many of the offices responsible for student life outside the classroom, including Residential Life, Health Services and Behavioral Health, Health Education, the Usdan Center, Student Activities and Leadership Development, and University Events and Scheduling as well as the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, International Student Services, and the Student Judicial Board.   Dean Culliton works with the directors of these offices and programs to provide important and needed services for students.  Together with students, they create a rich array of programs and events that provide an exciting, engaging, and intellectually stimulating student life.      

When you arrive at Wesleyan, feel free to stop by Dean Culliton’s office on the first floor of North College or contact him at rculliton@wesleyan.edu, if you have questions about student life or the offices with which he works.

Sonia BasSheva Mañjon: Vice President for Diversity and Strategic Partnerships

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Sonia BasSheva Mañjon, Vice President for Diversity and Strategic Partnerships, came to Wesleyan from California College for the Arts <http://www.cca.edu/> in July, 2008. At CCA, Mañjon served as a member of the president’s cabinet, director for CCA’s Center for Art in Public Life, chair of its community art major and Diversity Studies Program, co-chair of campus diversity initiatives, and a member of the faculty. Mañjon developed the country’s first bachelor of fine arts program in community arts, which stresses student civic engagement and diversity issues. In addition to her positions at CCA, Mañjon also served as executive director of the City of Oakland’s Craft and Cultural Arts Department <http://www.oaklandculturalarts.org/main/> , director of the Community Arts and Education Program for the San Francisco Art Commission <http://www.sfartscommission.org/CAE/> , and executive director of the San Francisco National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences <http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Chapters/San_Francisco/> . Mañjon earned a Ph.D. in humanities, transformative learning and change in human systems and an M.A. in cultural anthropology and social transformation from the California Institute of Integral Studies <http://www.ciis.edu/academics/sca.html> , and received a B.A. in world arts and cultures with a dance emphasis from the University of California, Los Angeles <http://www.ucla.edu/> .

The Office of Diversity and Strategic Partnerships was created to provide leadership on civic engagement and cooperation with private and public organizations and to collaborate with Wesleyan’s administrative and academic offices and departments to develop programs to attract, retain and inspire students, faculty and staff from groups currently under-represented on campus. As Wesleyan’s vice president for diversity and strategic partnerships, Mañjon is charged with enhancing the university’s outreach and engagement with the greater Middletown community. As Wesleyan’s chief affirmative action officer, Mañjon directs the Office of Affirmative Action and serves as an advocate for the interests of students in such areas as recruitment, curriculum development, campus culture and career planning.

In her free time, Mañjon enjoys spending time with her sons Zyan, 11, and Ezra, 8. A true soccer mom, she can be found cheering them on at basketball, football, soccer and baseball games. At home, she enjoy singing and dancing with her boys around the house and playing basketball in the back yard. During mommy-free times, she enjoys salsa dancing and reading a good book in front of the fireplace — which she will have lots of time to do when the snow comes.

Mike Whaley: Vice President for Student Affairs

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mwhaleyMike Whaley serves as Vice President for Student Affairs and, together with the Student Affairs/Deans’ Office team, works to ensure that students have a successful experience both inside and outside of the classroom. “Dean Mike,” as most students affectionately know him, has one of the most important jobs at the University. “Everyone in Student Affairs–from RAs to class deans to Usdan Center staff to the medical and counseling staff at the Health Center–works hard to forge strong relationships with students. We strive to be aware of student issues and concerns and it is our responsibility to challenge and support them as well as advocate for initiatives that improve the student experience at this amazing institution.”

Dean Mike grew up in upstate New York and was the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in microbiology, and earned a graduate degree in counseling and higher education administration from Central Connecticut State University. He is well known at colleges throughout the northeast as a consultant, particularly in the areas of student leadership development, wellness, motivation, LGBTQ issues and diversity education. He has presented entertaining and thought-provoking workshops on a variety of topics at both regional and national conferences.

Dean Mike lives on campus and frequently invites groups of students to his home for dinners or receptions. He is frequently spotted jogging or walking his dog, a yellow lab named Bailey, on campus. And, don’t be surprised to see him at sporting events, performances and other campus events. “I’m a full-time residential member of the campus community, just like our students,” he said.

Tim Shiner: Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development

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Timothy Shiner joined the Wesleyan community in 2006 as Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD) and in 2007 also took on the coordination of New Student Orientation. Originally from southern Colorado, Tim graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Psychology and a senior thesis entitled, “Teaching Emerging Leaders.” Following graduation, Tim attended the University of Vermont to pursue his Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration and worked at UVM for a total of five years in the Diversity and Equity Unit there. At Wesleyan, Tim and his office are responsible for advising all student groups in the planning and implementation of their programs. In 2008-2009, SALD helped students plan over 3000 events including concerts, speakers, art shows, affinity months, rehearsals, auditions and meetings. SALD also assists in the funding of students events and has numerous leadership opportunities for students. Tim’s favorite thing about Wesleyan is the passionate commitment of its students to making the world a better place. To learn more about the student activities office or the orientation program, go to www.wesleyan.edu/stuact or www.wesleyan.edu/orientation