KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 19, 2019

Kennesaw State University has appointed Eric Arneson as vice president of student affairs, effective February 10.

Arneson currently is vice chancellor for student affairs and campus climate at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, serving as the university’s senior student affairs officer and chief diversity officer. Arneson oversees the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Climate’s 10 departments and $30 million budget and chairs the Chancellor’s Council on Inclusive Excellence that spearheads diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Arneson will be the chief strategic officer for Kennesaw State students, helping navigate their campus experiences through activities, learning and non-academic growth opportunities. Arneson will serve on the President’s Cabinet and advise university leadership on student life matters while overseeing the dean of students, student centers, student counseling services, fraternity and sorority life, intramural and recreational sports, family programs, cultural and community centers, and student veteran services.

“Eric Arneson has a proven track record as a dynamic leader who puts students first and creates an environment for them to succeed, which aligns perfectly with Kennesaw State’s focus as a student-centered university,” said KSU President Pamela Whitten. “I look forward to working with him as we continue to explore opportunities that help students succeed in and out of the classroom.”

As UWGB’s vice chancellor for student affairs and campus climate, Arneson created a program that was a virtual one-stop shop for all student needs, from food insecurity to academic questions. His accomplishments also include implementing an inclusive excellence initiative offering leadership and implicit bias training, serving on a statewide committee to improve mental health strategies, and creating a strategic plan to improve UWGB’s retention rate among at-risk residential students.

Arneson previously was at Florida International University, first as director of campus life and then as assistant vice president for student affairs. He also has served as assistant dean of students at the University of Miami (Fla.) and in student affairs leadership roles at Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois.

“Kennesaw State clearly is a university on the rise, and I am confident that my experience in student affairs will help move KSU’s mission forward,” Arneson said. “What most drew me to this opportunity is Kennesaw State’s intentionality of consistently moving forward. This could not be a better fit for me, and I look forward to being part of Owl Nation.”

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.