“As an Avila student, I discovered learning is a ... - Avila University

ACCENT ON Avila
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Avila University Announces
Fourth President
The Avila University Board of
Trustees is pleased to announce
the appointment of Dr. Ronald A.
Slepitza, Ph.D., as the fourth president
of Avila University. Dr. Slepitza
was the vice president for student
development and special counsel to
the president for strategic planning at
Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“Avila is excited to welcome
Dr. Slepitza and his family to the
community. He is an outstanding
candidate whose education and
experience will help him to embrace
Dr. Ronald Slepitza
the Avila values and lead the school
with excellence and success,” said Jim
Willcox, interim president and member of the Avila University Board
of Trustees.
Dr. Slepitza began his appointment on July 24, 2006. Dr. Slepitza
said, “From the moment that I stepped onto the Avila campus,
I sensed a spark in the Avila community. That spark is one of
dedication to the students and the values of the university. I want to
act boldly with the Avila community to make that spark a fl ame to do
great things.”
Dr. Slepitza has a degree in psychology from St. Vincent’s College
and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in counseling and student personnel
administration from the University of Maryland. Dr. Slepitza and his
wife, Suzanne, have two children, Molly and Andrew.
Avila Receives Largest Gift in
School’s History
The Goppert Foundation has awarded Avila University a gift of
$1,050,000 for the construction of a new suite-style residence hall.
The foundation has been a long-time supporter of Avila University;
the university’s theatre bears the Goppert name.
The residence hall will feature amenities such as a suite-style
fl oorplan, individual bedrooms, kitchen areas and private bathrooms.
“We are fortunate to have the support of such a wonderful
organization,” said Greg Reichert, Avila University vice president for
advancement. “The Goppert Foundation supports the mission and
values of Avila, and their help is important to our continued success.”
Avila Adds
Grad Programs
Avila continues to answer the
needs of the community with
the addition of new graduate
programs. The School of
Education and the School of
Psychology are offering new
programs that are in demand and
provide real world experience.
The Graduate School of
Education will offer two new
concentrations to the Master
of Arts in Education. The new
concentrations are Literacy and
Teaching of English as a Second
Language (TESL). As Kansas City
continues to become more diverse,
these programs will help to give
teachers the training necessary
to accommodate students with
different learning needs. The
Graduate School of Education
will also offer two new Advanced
Certifi cates in Special Reading
and English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL).
The Avila Graduate School
of Psychology has been an area
leader in providing respected
graduate degrees in psychology.
Avila is the only urban school
to offer licensure in the state
of Kansas at the psychologist
level. In addition to the degrees
offered, the Avila Graduate
School of Psychology has added
a Master of Science in General
Psychology degree program.
Partnering with Avila Advantage,
Avila University’s adult degree
program, the Avila Graduate
School of Psychology has
added the Master of Science in
Organizational Development
Psychology degree program.
www.avila.edu/gradprograms
FALL 2006 Accent