Frances Conine has been named interim vice president for the student experience and dean of students at Northwestern State University effective July 3. The appointment is subject to approval for the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System and will be through June 30, 2018.

Conine has served as dean of students for the past four years. She will lead the Offices of Admissions, Recruiting, Financial Aid, Student Activities and Organizations, First Year Experience and Leadership Development, Judicial Services, Counseling and Career Services, Student Life, the Student Activities Board, Student Government Association, Greek Life, Health Services, Disability Services and Student Support Services.

“Frances has been at the forefront of our efforts to provide effective, meaningful services to students,” said Northwestern President Dr. Chris Maggio. “Her depth of knowledge about all areas that go into shaping the student experience will be valuable. She will provide outstanding leadership as we search for a permanent vice president.”

Conine said she would work to continue Northwestern’s State pattern of enrollment growth and increases in retention and graduation rates,

“My goals as interim vice president will be to focus on strategic planning, recruiting and retention, and supporting the great staff we have to reach their goals,” said Conine. “Access to higher education and student advocacy will continue to be my focus. As dean of students my goals have been to promote diversity and inclusion, to promote healthy life styles (particularly mental health) among out students, and to fulfill our obligations to Title IX and other legally mandated programs in higher education.”

Conine has been at Northwestern State since 1981, serving as coordinator of the College Success Program and educational coordinator of NSU’s Central Louisiana programs from 1986 to 1989. She was director of counseling and career services from 1989 to 1998, director of student services and judicial affairs from 1998 to 2011. In 2011, Conine was named executive director of student development and student conduct. She has been an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education and Human Development since 1996 and teaches University Studies each semester.

In 2004-05, Conine was selected as president of the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators. She received the Air National Guard Center of Influence Award in 2010 for her influence on a member of the guard or their family during a deployment.

As dean of students, Conine helped launch NSU’s Center for Inclusion and Diversity. She has overseen efforts to ensure compliance with state and local laws regarding Title IX by implementing campus wide training, conducting climate surveys and developing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Natchitoches community and rewritten policy.

Under her leadership, Northwestern State created an Office of Student Accountability and Advocacy to help students understand rules and regulations and see that policies are clearly articulated.

Conine received a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Auburn University and a master’s of education from Delta State University.