New division designed to enhance the academic experience for C.W. Post students

Brookville, N.Y. -- Dr. William Gustafson has been appointed to the newly created position of Associate Provost for Student Retention and Academic Support Services at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The seasoned administrator joined C.W. Post in 2008 as the assistant dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. The responsibilities of his new position became effective February 1, 2009.

Dr. Gustafson currently resides in New York City, and will permanently relocate to Long Island with his wife, Margaret, and son, Jack, in the spring.

"Dr. Gustafson is a gifted administrator who is passionate about our students' development," said Dr. Paul Forestell, provost of the C.W. Post Campus. "In this new role he will work hard to ensure that our students succeed and achieve their educational goals."

The division of Student Retention and Academic Support Services is designed to enhance the academic experience for C.W. Post students and to increase retention and graduation rates. It will streamline many day-to-day campus functions to enable students to get the most out of their C.W. Post experience. Under Dr. Gustafson's leadership, the division will coordinate undergraduate academic advisement services; administer the College 101 Freshman Seminar program; identify, support and monitor at-risk students; help students overcome academic obstacles and concerns; provide academic tutoring and peer mentoring; expand career planning services; enhance student motivation and academic performance; provide referrals to campus resources and support services; conduct satisfaction surveys of students; and develop multiple partnerships with faculty to promote academic success. In addition, the division will support students in their use of the MyLIU self-service web portal, which helps them to manage their own education more effectively.

Dr. Gustafson has had a distinguished career in music education and served on the faculties of both the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and the University of Colorado at Boulder. As the administrator and stage director for university opera programs, Dr. Gustafson oversaw curriculum development, student recruitment and advising, student accountability, scholarship initiatives, community outreach to under-served populations, and the management of production contracts and budgets. In addition to his administrative duties, he taught both undergraduate - and graduate-level courses in movement and acting for the operatic stage. Last spring he was recognized by the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado for distinguished research and creative achievement.

Dr. Gustafson earned his B.M. in Music from the University of Connecticut, and both his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Posted: February 25, 2009