The University of Olivet has announced the appointment of Linda (Harleston) Eaton ’80 to its Board of Trustees. Eaton will join the College’s leadership team with a commitment to providing a successful educational experience for all students.
“I am very pleased to have Linda Eaton join the Board of Trustees,” said President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D. “Linda has strong experience in higher education leadership and student affairs, which will be a great benefit to us, and I thank her for contributing her time and talent to the advancement of The University of Olivet. We are fortunate to have dedicated alumni and friends who are strongly committed to the institution and its mission.”
Eaton recently retired as the associate vice president for student affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz. In her role, she supervised Residence Life, Student Development, Student Activities and Union Services, the Career Resource Center, the Campus Media Center, the dean of students, the Disability Resource Center, and administrative support for the Student Association. Eaton initially joined SUNY New Paltz as the associate dean of students in 1994, and she was promoted to dean of students in 1997. In 2014, she became the associate vice president for student affairs.
During her tenure, Eaton spearheaded several major college initiatives, including the Emerging Leaders Program, Co-Curricular Transcript, Living Learning Communities as well as the Student Affairs transfer student programs. In addition, Eaton led the division’s assessment strategy, co-authored major grant initiatives and created and led the division’s Belongingness initiative. Her work with the Office of Civil Rights, when SUNY New Paltz underwent a Title IX audit as part of a larger SUNY audit, earned the campus a clean audit trail and positioned the College as a model campus in the SUNY system for its policies and procedures. She also oversaw the College’s student judicial program.
Further, Eaton served as the Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer, and served on the Strategic Planning and Assessment Committee, the Administrative Assessment Committee and volunteered as a commencement marshal over the past 25 years.
Eaton holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Olivet and a master’s degree in counseling and higher education administration from Western Michigan University. Among other awards and accomplishments, Eaton earned a Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Olivet in 2012.
“I am sincerely honored to serve on the Board of Trustees of my alma mater, The University of Olivet,” Eaton said. “The College provided me with a strong foundation upon which to build my professional and civic career. Having spent my entire career working closely with students, faculty and staff, I am excited to have an opportunity to continue to do so at The University of Olivet. I look forward to be able to contribute to the College’s continued success as a quality institution of higher education.”
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at admissions@uolivet.edu or 800-456-7189.