Roscoe will return to classroom after 16 years serving as Dean of Students

Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe has resigned from his role to return to teaching in the human environmental studies department.

Provost Gary Shapiro announced Roscoe’s resignation on Tuesday in an email to the campus community.

Roscoe said the decision came after extensive discussion with his family. He said this was the right choice for him at this time in his life.

“There’s a lot of changes occurring at Central and this seems an appropriate time to leave the position,” he said. “The decision is totally mine and my wife’s.”

Roscoe will return June 30 to a faculty position. Although he is uncertain about what he will teach specifically, he said he is excited to begin again.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m apprehensive,” Roscoe said. “It’s been over 20 years, so I’ll have to re-familiarize myself.”

Roscoe served as Dean of Students for 16 years. He has been at Central Michigan University for 30 years where he has previously taught and led the Honors Program.

Shapiro said the university will “wait and see” before hiring a new Dean of Students. The decision will lie with the new vice president of Enrollment and Student Services after being hired following a national search.

The new vice president will report directly to the president and is responsible for student enrollment goals, student retention and graduation rates, marketing responsibilities and keeping the university competitive.

“We’ll see exactly what we do as we plan for the future,” Shapiro said.

Roscoe said he and Shapiro had been discussing the options for a while. Shapiro said he regretfully accepted Roscoe’s resignation.

“I’ve worked with him over the years … he runs his office very well and he has always put students as a priority,” Shapiro said. “He has always represented the interest of students in various venues very effectively.”

Roscoe said he plans to retire at CMU.

Timothy Boudreau, associate professor of journalism, said Roscoe was “fair-minded, decent and a competent fellow.”

“He was one of the good-guy administrators,” Boudreau said. “He listened to what you had to say and was respectful.”

Michael Papa, professor of communications and dramatic arts, said when he was chair of the CDA department he was around Roscoe far more than he is now and Roscoe was great at his job.

“He was excellent at his job,” Papa said.  ”Sometimes, people in administrative positions occasionally decide to return to teaching.”