Christopher Kandus-Fisher has been promoted to vice president for Student Affairs at Stetson University, while retaining his role as Stetson’s dean of students.

Kandus-Fisher’s promotion is part of an administrative reorganization in Stetson’s Campus Life and Student Success division, which follows Vice President Rina Tovar’s move to a new role in Stetson’s University Relations division. Other changes in Campus Life and Student Success include promotions for Rosalie Carpenter, former director of First Year and Transition Programs, who is now serving as assistant dean of students; and Ben Falter, who is now executive director of Housing and Residential Life and has taken on an expanded role overseeing Stetson’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs.

“In the year-and-a-half that Chris has been with Stetson, he has shown himself to be a great strategic thinker and leader,” said President Wendy B. Libby.

Kandus-Fisher now serves on the President’s Cabinet and will continue to have a leadership role in Stetson’s year-long update of its core values and to be a key communicator in the progress of the university’s new strategic plan. He will coordinate with Assistant Provost for Student Success Lua Hancock on Stetson’s comprehensive student success model. Kandus-Fisher will also work directly with the College of Law on students services at Stetson’s campuses in Gulfport/St. Petersburg and Tampa.

A higher education administrator for 12 years, Kandus-Fisher came to Stetson in 2010 from Babson College in Massachusetts, where he was assistant dean of Campus Life. As vice president and dean at Stetson, Kandus-Fisher provides leadership and vision to the Division of Campus Life and Student Success, which includes departments such as Housing and Residential Life, Student Involvement, Health Services and Counseling Services.

Kandus-Fisher earned his bachelor’s degree at Ashland University and master’s degrees from the University of Akron and is a doctoral candidate at Nova Southeastern University, pursuing a degree in Higher Education Leadership.

Carpenter, a Stetson alumna, has worked for Stetson for eight years. In her new role as assistant dean of students, she will provide strategic leadership to the Student Development and Engagement Team, while providing a vision that not only supports a vibrant campus, but connects student engagement to success and retention. The Student Development and Engagement team encompasses New Student Orientation, Transition Programs, Student Clubs and Organizations, Student Leadership initiatives, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Campus Vibrancy and Traditions, and Religious and Spiritual Life.

Carpenter also earned master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education Administration and from Case Western Reserve University in Positive Organizational Development.

“Rosalie has a tremendous reputation with the student body and we are confident that she will be able to continue to serve as a true student advocate,” Kandus-Fisher said. “We are both looking forward to working with the students and helping them make the best of their Stetson experience.”