January 26, 2017 - Drew Calandrella Announcement

To: Campus Community

From: President Gayle E. Hutchinson

It is with mixed emotions and warmest wishes that I announce the retirement of Drew Calandrella, Vice President for Student Affairs, effective June 30, 2017.

Please join me in congratulating Drew and thanking him for his many years of service to Chico State. Drew has been vice president for Student Affairs at CSU, Chico since 2006. He has provided excellent leadership to our campus during his term. Since my arrival in July, he has delivered a steady continuity to campus leadership. He has the respect of colleagues on this campus and on an international scale.

The students and staff within the division of Student Affairs greatly benefitted under Drew's astute leadership. During his tenure, he created the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, and provided leadership and guidance in moving the Greek community forward after a restructuring during the spring of 2013. Drew also saw the completion of Sutter Residential and Dining Hall. It is with his sound leadership that the division was able to transition through the budget crisis, maintaining staff morale and keeping programs in place, such as the Writing Center and the Experiential Education Center.

New programs were established under Drew's leadership: the Foster Youth Program (PATH Scholars) in 2014, expansion of the EOP Summer Bridge program in 2014, expansion of Supplemental Instruction, and expansion of the Accessibility Resource Center to include the Office of Accessible Technology and Services. Drew's commitment to diversity recruitment efforts has resulted in an increase of admitted students of color. As a way of serving all students, Orientation and New Student Programs were extended to a year-long model. While Drew is viewed as an educator, a mentor, a confidant and a consummate leader in Student Affairs, he will best be remembered for his wisdom, collegiality, friendship and overall commitment to student success.

In March 2016, Drew received the highest honor of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) at its annual convention in Montreal, Quebec. He was one of 16 administrators and professors to receive the 2016 Diamond Honoree Award, which recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to higher education and student affairs. As we move ahead, an interim VP will be appointed at the end of the semester. I have scheduled a nationwide search for the position to begin this summer.

Please join me in extending warmest wishes to Drew. We are embarking on a season of transition, and I am pleased we are on the journey together.