Interim dean of students named

Hannah Pietsch

The Signal

David Rachita, interim dean of students.

David Rachita has been appointed to serve as interim dean of students to fill the position left vacant after the abrupt resignation of Anthony Jenkins submitted Aug. 13, which was  effective immediately.

Rachita is stepping in from his position as assistant dean of student life.

Darlene Biggers, associate vice president for student services, expressed that Rachita was the obvious choice for interim dean because of his experience with UHCL and familiarity with the dean of students’ position.

“[Rachita] worked closely with Dr. Jenkins on a lot of student issues and had stepped in and filled some of those positions before when another dean of students left,” Biggers said.

Rachita has worked in student affairs at UHCL for 15 years and said the decision to step in as interim dean was an easy one.

“It was not a decision that had to be made,” Rachita said. “I’m a Boy Scout leader. It was the Boy Scout thing to do, to jump in and help out where needed, so it felt very natural.”

While serving as interim dean of students, Rachita wants UHCL students to know that he is their advocate on campus. He hopes students will feel comfortable coming to the Office of the Dean of Students knowing that someone will listen to their concerns.

“It’s a little scary because this is a new learning experience for me,” Rachita said. “It is going to give me the opportunity to see so many different factions of the university working together.”

Rachita will serve as interim dean while UHCL searches for a new dean of students. Biggers stated that the position will not be advertised until January because spring is the peak recruitment season for student affairs positions.

“We thought we could take this semester to really think through what the responsibilities were going to be for the dean of students,” Biggers said. “As we decide on what the responsibilities are, then we can answer what the qualifications would be.”

In previous searches, the dean of students’ position has required candidates to hold a doctorate. Rachita holds a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University and has 18 years of experience with the University of Houston System.

“I feel that this is a good testing period for me,” Rachita said. “I have through the fall semester to learn about the position and decide if this is something I would consider doing in the future. If so, if the opportunity were available, I would consider throwing my name in the hat.”

Rachita earned his undergraduate degree at Baldwin-Wallace College in history education.

After earning his master’s degree, he began working at University of Houston as the campus activity adviser. After three years at UH, he came to UHCL to work as the coordinator of student information and assistance. Rachita also served as director of student life before his promotion to assistant dean of student life.

Traditionally, the Office of the Dean of Students assists enrolled students in resolving academic issues and oversees the Student Success Center and the Student Assistance Center. During this transition period, Rachita continues to supervise the Office of Student Life and Biggers will manage the Student Success Center.

While Rachita steps in as interim dean of students, Andrew Reitberger, assistant director of student life, will serve as acting director of student life.

Biggers said she was notified of Jenkins’ resignation Aug. 13, and that it was effective immediately. In his resignation letter obtained from the UH System Office of General Counsel, Jenkins did not provide a reason for leaving.

“My departure comes with mixed emotions,” Jenkins wrote in his resignation letter. “I have greatly enjoyed my tenure at UHCL. I have been fortunate to develop so many wonderful professional relationships. I cannot say enough wonderful things about my great staff and our hard work which elevated student services on campus. It is because of my team, students at the university now have services and programs to help them excel academically, which did not exist prior to my arrival.”