THIEL SELECTS NEW DIRECTOR FOR CENTER FOR LEARNING & ADVISING

Sept. 1 , 2009

GREENVILLE, PA – Michael A. Williams has been appointed director of the Center for Learning & Advising at Thiel College. His first day was August 24.

For the last six years, Williams served as director of the Journey Project, an initiative combining issues of faith, service and vocation in the context of the liberal arts, at St. Bonaventure University in New York. Williams also served as an adjunct theology faculty member and administrative director of the State Department-funded U.S. Institute for Foreign Leaders program at St. Bonaventure.

“Mike’s local roots coupled with his extensive background in interdisciplinary thinking and vocational preparation made him an ideal candidate to lead the CLA, which is so important to our campus and our students,” says Dr. Troy VanAken, president of the college. “I know Mike will do a fantastic job of increasing student engagement with the CLA, preparing our students for successful lives of service, energizing our faculty and increasing connections with our local community.”

As director of the Center for Learning & Advising, Williams will oversee development and implementation of CLA programs; provide staff supervision; promote curricular innovation, interactive learning and advising; and manage the activities and budget of the CLA on a daily basis, among other duties. The Center for Learning & Advising at Thiel College is funded by a Title III grant to serve the students, faculty and staff of the college by providing vocational discernment, assisting faculty with teaching pedagogies with an emphasis on using technology, promoting effective advising strategies and promoting learning outside the classroom.

Before working at St. Bonaventure, Williams was program director at the Wesley Foundation at Ball State University and Crossings Project associate at the University of Indianapolis. He also has extensive experience as a consultant for youth programs and vocation exploration.

Williams holds a master’s degree in theology from St. Bonaventure and a bachelor’s degree in social thought from Allegheny College.

A native of Fredonia, Pa., Williams lives in Jamestown with his wife, Rhonda, and their four children.

About Thiel College

Founded in 1866, Thiel College is a liberal arts, sciences and professional studies institution located in Greenville, Pa., that provides a great balance of academic challenge, personal and social involvement, and exceptional value to its 1,000 students. For more information about Thiel College, which is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, visit www.thiel.edu or call 800-24-THIEL.

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