Graduating in 1993 from Iowa State with distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education as a George Washington Carver and National Hispanic Scholar, Maria Flores-Mills said she still vividly remembers serving as president of her floor in Storms Hall and attending Cyclone men’s basketball games.

Now the assistant dean of undergraduate students at Princeton University, Flores-Mills said she’s excited about the opportunity now to give back to the institution.

She’ll be on campus visiting with faculty, staff and students to interview as one of two finalists for the dean of students position.

Dione Somerville, director of enrollment services at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, was also named as a finalist.

The position became available the summer of 2005, when then-dean of students, Pete Englin, left to accept the position as director of the Department of Residence. Sharon McGuire, assistant dean of students, has since been serving in the interim and had been selected as a candidate for the position. However, she accepted a position as associate vice president for academic affairs at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. Her last day is Sept. 8.

“I made lifelong friends and always look forward to the opportunity to return to Ames,” Flores-Mills said in her cover letter submitted to the ISU search committee. “I want to be a contributing team member in Iowa State’s quest to take the student life experience to the next level of excellence.”

Prior to her position at Princeton, Flores-Mills served as director of judicial affairs and special projects and assistant director of multicultural affairs at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. Previous to that she was the community outreach/Latino affairs coordinator in the provost’s office at the University of Iowa.

Flores-Mills, who has worked in higher education the last 10 years, said the task in choosing is always difficult – whether to seek a seasoned professional with direct experience in all the responsibilities listed, or a candidate who has all the relevant education and experience, but is looking for the opportunity to prove his or her capacity with regard to certain aspects of the position. The problem with the former is the trade-off between limited potential for growth and innovation and efficiency.

She said she represents the latter type of candidate.

“I do not have extensive supervisory experience, but I have worked on the ground floor of almost every area of responsibility listed, done all of the day-to-day work,” she wrote. “Behind the scenes, I have coordinated staff development and even played a primary role in facilitating those programs.”

Somerville is also familiar with Iowa State, receiving an offer in 1994 for a residence hall director position. She said she was unable to accept the position because of a career opportunity for her husband in Cleveland.

“During the interview process and campus visit, I remember being energized by the student-centeredness of the residence-life staff and by the engagement of the students in campus life,” she said.

And now, Somerville said, that interest in Iowa State has been renewed with the dean of students position.

“The position itself is one that very heavily advocates for students, and that’s something that appeals to me very much. It’s something that I’ve enjoyed throughout my career,” she said, adding in her current position, it’s the equivalent of a dean’s position at comparable institutions.

Members of the search committee, both faculty and students, said they are extremely pleased with both candidates.

“These candidates are both very student-friendly and student-focused. I’m impressed with the articulation of their skills and responsibilities that make them qualified for the dean of students position,” said Todd Holcomb, associate vice president for student affairs and chairman of the dean of students search committee.

The candidates have also received a favorable nod from their would-be predecessor.

“[Flores-Mills] has a breath of experience beyond her current role, and in our conversations is a very bright, thoughtful and very student-focused individual. She also has the advantage of knowing the community and Iowa State,” Englin said.

Somerville’s broad experience in student service was also a factor.

“She’s skilled at helping students navigate a large university, which is extremely important for the dean of students to have in helping support students through their educational experience here at Iowa State and see them graduate.”

Englin also said his enthusiasm for the finalists is based on more than their resumes.

“I’m excited about their qualifications, but more so the type of people they are. They’ll both bring an ability to help students succeed, and that’s what’s important.”

Government of the Student Body President Emily Jensen hailed the finalists as strong leaders who would do well in supporting the student body.

“Maria Flores-Mills is very enthusiastic and has a great deal of experience working with undergraduates. Dione Somerville’s work at the size of a large community college and the duties she had are very similar to the dean of students position here,” Jensen said. “Both are very, very qualified and want to work with our community, instead of shape it to their experience.”

The search committee is scheduled to meet on Sept. 13 to review the qualifications of the two candidates.

Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Hill will make the final decision.