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Dr.
Robert Stokes’ promotion: A Villanova story
By Kathleen Lamb ‘04
 On
May 19, Dr. John R. Johannes, vice president for Academic Affairs announced
Dr. Robert D. Stokes as the new assistant vice president for Academic Affairs
of Part-Time and Continuing Studies. An advocate for non-traditional students
from the start, Stokes became director of Career Development in 1982 when
he arrived at Villanova’s campus for the first time. He described
Villanova as full of a “unique community spirit.” Stokes made
it a priority to preserve such community spirit throughout his experience
at Villanova from Career Development to director of Continuing Education
to an associate dean of Part-Time Studies and University Outreach, and now
in his 21st year at Villanova as newly appointed assistant vice president
of Academic Affairs of Part-Time and Continuing Studies.
Prior to receiving this position, Stokes worked in Career Services, helping
traditional and non-traditional students establish and implement their career
plans. Stokes mentioned that his background in Career Services “made
[him] more aware of the paths people take through their education and careers.”
On this experience he emphasized, “Part of my role was to tell the
Villanova story to potential employers of our students.”
Later on in his career as director of Continuing Education from 1988 to
1997 and associate dean from 1997 to 2003, Stokes devoted much of his time
improving Villanova’s connection with surrounding communities. Stokes
expanded Continuing Studies programs through partnerships with professional
associations, proposing a new bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree
(approved), initiating fast forward programs and increasing the number of
distance learning classes including one of the largest online non-credit
project management programs in order to promote flexible, adult-friendly
curriculums with the same levels of quality and academic integrity as full-time
programs. Concerning these non-traditional students Stokes asserted, “I
think it is important that their academic needs are met as well as student
service needs outside of the classroom?so that their experience can be just
as positive as the traditional student at Villanova.”
Regarding University Outreach, Stokes contributed in creating partnerships
between departments and organizations. Stokes assisted overseeing a number
of Partnering Breakfasts with corporations and hospitals, resulting in closer
working relationships. He worked with the theology department, receiving
funding for a program in Jewish studies for Catholic educators, “For
I am Joseph Your Brother.” Stokes was also the site director for the
“Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood Educators,”
a program promoting literacy for elementary school children. Since the first
Governors Institute, Stokes has been able to keep the program operating
in its third year and has attracted a second Governor’s Institute
to Villanova. In the ways he has reached out from Villanova to different
populations in the surrounding communities, his endeavors clearly evoke
a sense of true Augustinian unitas, that the spirit of Villanova should
be available to all.
As a result of Dr. Stokes promotion, College Outreach activities will continue
by the director of College Outreach, Brenda Grove, who will serve in the
Enrollment Management area. In his new role as assistant vice president
for Academic Affairs of Part-Time and Continuing Studies, Dr. Stokes will
work with current deans from the different Colleges to strengthen the quality
and depth of Part-Time Studies. Assessing the objectives he intends to implement
in his new role, Stokes stressed, “I think the new position is in
line with the strategic plan, which includes a strong interest in attracting
more non-traditional students and looking at different methods (such as
distance education) to provide educational experiences for both adults as
well as traditional students.” Through the development and enhancement
of these ideas, Stokes believes that Villanova’s instilled values
of “academic integrity and community spirit” evident since his
first position in 1982, can only continue to grow stronger. For more information
on Part-Time Studies go to www.parttime.villanova.edu/ or contact the Part-Time
Studies office at 94300.
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