Courtesy of Lewis & Clark
On Monday, March 3, President Robin Holmes-Sullivan sent an email to the Lewis & Clark community announcing that Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Evette Castillo-Clark would be leaving her position on April 1. Castillo-Clark cited family health issues as the reason for her departure.
“Evette has been a tremendous asset to Lewis & Clark, notably leading the Division of Student Life since August 1, 2022. She brought with her extensive experience as a student life leader and has maintained consistent focus on enhancing the student experience, increasing retention, and creating a more informed student body,” the email read.
The email praised Castillo-Clark’s commitment to her position and impact on campus through the division of student life.
“The division made significant progress under Evette’s leadership, including in the areas of experiential learning, civic leadership, peer leadership, school spirit, career development, inclusion, belonging, and wellness,” Holmes-Sullivan wrote. “In addition, Evette led efforts to improve transportation and parking systems; strengthened campus safety, emergency management, and student-related institutional policies and procedures; and advanced the undergraduate first-year experience.”
Holmes-Sullivan also included her gratitude for both Castillo-Clark’s input in decision-making and presence as a colleague.
“On a personal note, it has been wonderful to have Evette on my leadership team. She has brought tremendous expertise and energy to the cabinet and I have appreciated having her good counsel over the last several years,” she wrote.
Notably, Holmes-Sullivan held the role prior to becoming president of the college. LC’s Director of Public Relations Lois Leveen elaborated on Holmes-Sullivan’s prioritization of the role of vice president for student life.
“Robin served as the VPSL prior to being named president, and she held similar roles at the University of Oregon and for the entire University of California system, so she values how much a VPSL shapes and strengthens any campus community,” Leveen said. “With that in mind, L&C has decided to have Ben Meoz serve in the role as an interim VPSL and dean of students, so that we can conduct a national search in the fall.”
The decision to search for a permanent replacement next year ensures that the new individual to fill the role will have ample opportunity to engage with the student body directly, as the role requires.
“Were we to begin a search now, the timing would mean that candidates would be coming to campus after the end of the spring term, without any students to interact with as part of the process. For that reason, it makes sense to wait until fall to begin the search instead. There are no plans to change the organizational structure during this interim,” Leveen said.
This decision reflects the administration’s current commitment to finding a candidate who can fully engage with the campus community and continue the work of the college’s previous leadership.
“We expect our next VPSL will bring energy, vision, and experience that will build on the foundation that Robin Holmes-Sullivan and Evette Castillo-Clark have each shaped during their times in the role.”
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