After a delay due to administrative personnel issues, Pete Englin officially was appointed Dean of Students this weekend after serving as interim dean of students since July 2000.

Administrators said they could not comment on the personnel issues after the decision was pushed back from August to October.

Englin served as associate dean of students from 1999 to 2000, under Dean of Students Kathleen MacKay, who left Iowa State in 2000. He served as interim dean in her absence and took the dean position Oct. 6.

“It’s very humbling and exciting to be named to this position,” Englin said. “My predecessors had a legacy of being thoughtful and active, and I hope to continue that legacy.”

Before working in the dean of students office, he was coordinator of residence life from 1991 to 1999 and residence marketing and conference coordinator from 1989 to 1991.

“I would say working in residence life prior to working in the dean of students office prepared me for this position,” Englin said. “If something touches students’ lives and affects them, then it is a major part of working in residence leadership as well as the dean of students office.”

Andy Tofilon, Government of the Student Body president, said he is happy with Englin’s appointment.

“I think Pete will only improve the position, even with the high quality of dean of students we’ve had in the past,” he said. “Students really have a best friend in Pete.”

Englin said he backs President Gregory Geoffroy’s goal to increase graduation rates at Iowa State.

“I do not want any students to unnecessarily leave Iowa State,” he said.

According to the dean of students office Web site, the office’s mission is to “enhance the quality of life of Iowa State University students by supporting the university’s commitment to the academic success and holistic development of each individual student.”

The dean of students office provides academic, advising, dispute resolution, information, dean of students Office and department publications, activities and services, according to the Web site.

Englin said the office is very traditional and is a direct-to-student service organization.

The umbrella of the office covers academic resources, the academic success center, adult and non-traditional student services, disability services, the ISU parents services, student issues, greek affairs, recreational services, student and campus organizations, student legal services, women’s issues, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender services.

Englin said he enjoys working with ISU students.

“I believe each and every student comes to Iowa State well prepared,” he said, “and I think we need to help them become the best students and future citizens they can be.”