Inside Iowa State

Sept. 22, 2006

Somerville starts dean of students post in January

by Anne Krapfl

Dione Somerville, director of enrollment services and registrar at Lorain County Community College, Elyria, Ohio, has been named ISU dean of students. Somerville will begin her new post in January.

"Dione has great experience in higher education and a good understanding of different aspects of higher education," said vice president for student affairs Tom Hill. "She has worked at four-year and two-year institutions, which positions her to work with a significant population of our students who arrive from community colleges.

"All of this lends to her being an outstanding dean at Iowa State," Hill said.

Somerville has worked in her current position since 2001. Previously, she served as director of student affairs and services at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland (2000-01); and as director of student activities and assistant director of campus programming at Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio (1995-2000).

Somerville received a bachelor's degree in English/writing from Ohio Northern University, Ada; a master's degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, Ohio; and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Former dean of students Pete Englin became director of Iowa State's residence department in July 2005. Former assistant dean of students Sharon McGuire had been serving as interim dean of students, but left Iowa State earlier this month for a post at Boise State University. Mimi Benjamin, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, has been serving as interim dean of students since Sept. 8, and will continue until Somerville arrives on campus.

Dione Somerville will take over as ISU's dean of students in January. She comes to Ames from Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio.

"Dione has great experience in higher education and a good understanding of different aspects of higher education. She has worked at four-year and two-year institutions, which positions her to work with a significant population of our students who arrive from community colleges."

vice president for student affairs Tom Hill