A Conversation with Will Atkins: Vice Provost for Campus Life

Sidney Belleroche

And I’ll just ask one more time for the record, do you consent to be recorded?

Will Atkins

Yes.

Perfect. So to start out with, thank you for being here. May you please state your official title and your sort of job description. What do you do here, sir?

Official title, Vice Provost for Campus Life, Dean of Students, and Chief Student Affairs Officer. My role is to support the success of campus life operations. So that includes conduct in Title IX, Residence Life, Student Engagement, Institute for Inclusion & Equity, Religious & Spiritual Life, Campus Safety, and Health & Wellness.

Thank you. So with all the recent changes at the college, I just have a general question I want to ask you: How are you doing with everything? How are you feeling? How’s the workload? Are you doing all right?

I’m doing great. I think where we are right now, I’m focused on making sure that the team is in a good place, that our students are in a good place. So for me, I recognize that the change happened, and so I’m really in a good place, making sure that I’m prioritizing my well-being and my wellness so I can support the rest of the team.

Glad to hear it, sir. So speaking on some of the changes, I want to talk about the recent upper administration and how that has been restructured with people moving in and out of different offices. Is your position or your official title changed by any of the recent upper administration restructuring?

No.

Thank you. And is there any sort of restructuring happening in any of the areas that you oversee?

No.

Okay. And just as a general question, how many workers do you oversee in the areas like Res Life, Student Engagement, et cetera? If you have an idea.

Let me follow up and get you a more accurate number because we also have Campus Safety officers, we have trainers, we have staff, psychologists, so all that is included in the Campus Life portfolio; I would need to follow up and get a more accurate account.

Okay, please do. So, I want to talk a little bit about you in particular and some of your previous work experiences. So, prior to your arrival at Ursinus, You worked at the University of Pennsylvania as the Associate Vice Provost for University Life, is that correct?

Correct.

And at the University of Florida, you worked as the Assistant Vice President at the college.

Correct.

What ideas, if any, have you taken from your experience working at your previous institutions?

I’ll start off by saying what I’ve learned by working at different institutions and coming into a new space is that it is vital and critical to start my time by listening, by getting to know students, by learning about the culture, by meeting different campus partners to figure out how we can collaborate well and partner well to serve the student experience. I’d say from my time at Penn, Florida, University of Michigan, I’ve always started my time with really listening to understand before bringing in new ideas, because I want to make sure the ideas I have matched the culture and matched the student experience.

And going off of that idea, since you arrived here, since the start of the semester, you’ve been hosting ‘Think Tanks’ with the students to sort of get a sense of what they want. So for those unaware, can you explain what these think tanks are and the purpose of them?

Absolutely. The ‘Think Tanks’ are a time for me to really meet with students in a more casual, relaxed environment. And we just have dialogue over different topics. They are intentionally kept smaller, but also open for students to make recommendations and have others join to be included in the conversation because we want to create space and create time for us to really dive deep into some of the conversations. And so [for] my first discussion, now-Interim President Graml was invited to talk about APEX. The future conversations talked about the student experience. We will continue to talk about ways that we can serve students well. And I also would like to bring in different leaders from units across campus to talk about what’s going on in their different areas too. So it really, the point, the purpose is to bridge gaps so that students feel a direct connection to administration, but also for us to be able to listen and be thought partners in enhancing the student experience.

Gotcha. So what have you learned so far from your ‘Think Tank’ meetings and are there any ideas that you hope to develop or adopt in the future?

What I’ve learned really more from the spirit of the meetings is that students really love Ursinus and they really are excited to be here and want to continue to invest in its progress. And so that, to me, is very encouraging. I’ve learned that students have really great ideas and can provide guidance for us to strengthen the current initiatives or programs we have in place, whether it’s APEX, whether it’s Welcome Week, or Weeks of Welcome, or different programs that we have in place. So for me, that’s what I’ve learned the most about: just hearing what students are thinking.

Gotcha. And off the top of your head, is there any one or a couple particular ideas that stood out to you or something that you want to develop further?

Yes, I’m working with our team in Campus Life to think about some events to welcome students back in the spring semester. So again, after the breaks, we, well, let me rephrase that. Prior to the, [let me rephrase that] beginning of the fall semester, we had Weeks of Welcome. And so that was six weeks. We really focused on each week having a theme around community, around school spirit, around professional development. And so when we come back in the spring semester, I would like for Campus Life to host a welcome back week that’s more around community-building, fun activities to welcome students back after the break. [So] In the last think tank session, we spent time thinking through what some programs or activities could look like for a Welcome Week or Welcome Back Week. So the students gave some really great insight into programs that would be interesting and exciting for them.

Sure. Did you do anything like this at any of your previous institutions? I was looking at your resume, and I saw that a while back one of your first jobs was being an Orientation Leader. Is it just sort of in the same vein as what you were working with before?

Yeah, so New Student Orientation has been part of my professional DNA since I was a college student. I was an orientation leader in college, and then I also did an internship with orientation at another institution. And when I was at the University of Florida, New Student and Family Programs were in my portfolio, so I’m always thinking about the student experience from the time they arrive to campus. So, I do think there’s room for us to continue to keep the excitement going and build on the great work that’s been happening around orientation here.

And how do you plan to implement or work around some of these ideas in the confines of what Ursinus is? And by that, I mean the previous institutions that you’ve worked at have typically been larger scale, with a lot more funding, with a lot more students. How do you feel like some of these ideas can translate into an environment like Ursinus?

One thing that I keep in mind is that students are students. And for me, it’s important to listen to what’s going to really resonate with them, whether I’m at a large university [or] a small college, the student experience is really what drives kind of my work. And so I’ve learned that there are things that we can learn from different institution types. There are things that are happening at private liberal arts colleges that other colleges and universities can learn from, and there are things that schools like Ursinus can also learn from other institutions. [So] I think about bringing in some ideas, but also making sure that they match what the current student interest is.

And that segues perfectly, actually, into some of the student interests. Now, members of different Greek Life organizations have lamented a lack of support within the past year. when it comes to some of their relations with administration and how they don’t feel supported. They pointed specifically to something like a lack of a Greek Life Coordinator at this point in time. So what would you say to those students whose main avenue for getting involved on campus is Greek Life? How would you address their concerns and are there any plans for hiring a Greek Life Coordinator?

So right now, the plans are to hire a Director for Student Engagement and Community. And within that person’s portfolio, they will have student organizations, they will have Greek Life, they’ll have Orientation, and they’ll work with our current team to really strengthen that experience for the Greek [Life] community. For me, I recognize the importance of the Greek community at Ursinus, and want to make sure if they have questions, ideas, concerns, that they can come directly to me, or they can go to Mia Harvey-Alekson, who’s our Assistant Director.

And is there a potential timetable for this at all, or is it just the process ongoing [and the search is ongoing]?

Sure, the search is happening now, and so the position has been posted, and we are in the process of reviewing applicants.

Nathaniel Nerone

I have a question on this. I am a member of a Greek organization. There is a rumor going around that the position of Greek life coordinator is going to become a student position. Is that true?

There will be students who will support student programs and activities, but it’s not going to become a student position.

And I want to touch on one of the hotter topics in higher education and one that I know that you’ve personally worked with: DEI. [So] Per an article that I found that was published on August 28th, 2025 in the Daily Pennsylvanian [University of Pennsylvania’s student newspaper], it says that you are one of more than a dozen University of Pennsylvania members formally associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives whose titles have changed since the start of Donald Trump’s second term. So getting to the question, the [now-departed or] now-former President [Robyn] Hannigan made her stance on DEI clear, stating that “it’s the hill she would die on.” Does the college still share her vision?

I can’t speak on behalf of the college.

And what about the offices you oversee currently? One of the main components of that would be the IIE [Institute for Inclusion and Equity]. However, since Ms. Ashley Henderson left in 2024, there has not yet been a permanent director of the IIE. As of today, there’s no job listing on that position [on the Ursinus] Employment Opportunities page. What are your plans for that position, or would that position be reshaped into something like the Director of Student Engagement and Community?

The Director of Student Engagement and Community will oversee Student Engagement and the Institute for Inclusion.

Sticking with some of the staff and faculty, with Ursinus being in a state of flux and a bit of uncertainty, particularly over the past year, I want to talk about sort of the staff and faculty, some concerns that students expressed at the town hall about them. With the turnover in the past year, particularly in the Student Affairs suite, [And the, I’m sorry, tripping over my words] and some of the hiring processes and filling those staff [members] is taking a bit of time. Some offices haven’t been as staffed as they were in the past. How do you ensure that the workers that you oversee are going to be taken care of?

Rephrase the question?

Some offices, compared to past years, might not have the same amount [number] of staff members working in them. How do you ensure that the workers that you currently have are being taken care of physically, mentally, with some of the increased load that they’ve had to take on?

One of my priorities since joining is really evaluating and addressing culture and making sure that we have a culture where staff are able to do good work, do important work, serve students, while also recognizing that there are some things that we will continue because they’re mission-critical and some things will be imagined based on today’s environment.

And while this process is going on, I know quite a few workers, again, due to some of the increased load brought on by recent changes, brought on by some of the shorter staffing compared to previous years, they’ve had to consolidate their roles quite a bit or perhaps do more than what the job description initially entailed. Have the workers been compensated in any sort of way for this additional worker role consolidation?

That is a HR question and I’m not able to answer that.

Sounds good. And I know Res Life in particular has had a lot of turnover over the past year or two, with members going in and out. What would you say to address some of the concerns from students about the Res Life office going in and out and how that might affect their housing situation?

Housing operations will remain steady and focused on making sure that students are supported in the residence halls. Additionally, the staffing: I just joined in July of this year, so I’ve been focused on culture that allows for folks to be here and be able to thrive.

And looking forward to the future, what can Ursinus look forward to you and the offices you oversee in the next coming weeks and the coming semester? Can we look forward to more ‘Think Tanks,’ more student relations, connections, any plans for the upcoming [semester]?

Even today, we have a session, today and tomorrow we have sessions with myself and President Graml that talks to students about some of the leadership changes in transition. I’ll continue doing the ‘Think Tanks’ that I’ve been doing since arriving here. I want to continue to be visible and present and supporting students at their different events. I always ask students to invite me to programs going on. I love going in and showing support and celebrating them through social media or just being present. For Campus Life, I am focused on making sure that APEX is embedded into everything that we do from a professional experiential learning standpoint. So that’s really a focus of campus life and people.

I have two questions. First, I think at this point, it’s fairly common knowledge that Ursinus may be facing faculty and staffing cuts, and at the same time, Ursinus is trying to increase the number of students who are coming in with each class. I know you said that there’s at least one more position that you’re hiring for, but if the number of overall personnel in your department were to drop and the number of students were to increase, how are you reconciling those like dual efforts of wanting to [you know] do more on campus for more students, but also not overwork your staff?

I think I’m following. I will say for right now, we are focused on serving today’s student [at] Ursinus. We want to make sure that their experience is developmental, is educational, it is fun. We want to incorporate joy and positivity and fun into the student experience. And as demographics change and shifts, we’ll also change and shift.

That makes sense. Secondarily, specifically looking to the IIE and, you know, those opportunities for diverse engagement. What aspects do you see as the most vulnerable to today’s political climate? Would that be like, you know, events or the name of the IIE? Just what are you most guarding against right now?

I am more focused on what students are looking for from their experience at Ursinus, and whether that is to have community dialogue, whether that is to have different programs or activities that really have a focus and alignment with IIE’s mission, that’s what I’m really working with the team to focus on.

So are there any specific changes that you would encourage students to be aware of or that you’re looking at making in the future to make sure that Ursinus doesn’t face any threats because of its dedication to DEI.

Repeat the question.

Are there any specific changes that you’re looking to make to protect Ursinus from threats it may face due to its dedication to DEI?

The work that we’re doing around inclusion is open to all students, and that is what we will continue to focus on.

And I do have an additional question: we talked about the administration and student relationships and some of the staff and student relationships. I want to talk about the student-to-student relationship and facilitating that. We have a substantial amount [number] of students who are athletes, and the athlete versus non-athlete sort of divide has been present for quite a while. So I’m wondering [for you] and any of the offices under your control: how do you guys plan on potentially bridging this divide? Do you want to hear more from student athletes and your ‘Think Tanks,’ for example, about certain events or certain opportunities that could really bring students who do athletics and students who do athletics together?

I think where I am right now is still in this spirit and space of listening so I can learn about what the entire campus community and looking for ways that we can continue to build community across all different experience. Athlete, students who don’t participate in athletics, students who are of different majors, different backgrounds. So that is really more of my focus, focusing on ways that we can come together.

And as a general question, how long will this sort of listening period last in your eyes or at least this dedicated listening period?

For me, listening is an ongoing process because as the classes change, as the student experience changes, I want to continue to listen. So I’ve always, in every role I’ve had, had an ongoing approach to just listening and being able to shift and adjust as students share new information

And when, in this upcoming semester, do you plan to put some of the ideas that you [have] listen[ed] to into practice?

Yes. I would say my focus, again, is taking the information that’s being shared, sharing it with the Campus Life team, and looking for opportunities to align what students are saying.

Sounds good. All right. Any closing thoughts or any messages that you want to share to the general Ursinus body?

I have been incredibly grateful. I am incredibly grateful and appreciative to the Ursinus community for welcoming me and also helping me learn about the campus. I look forward to continuing to engage, going to different programs and events, continuing to listen, and look for ways that we can serve and support our students so that they can be successful here.

Thank you so much for your time, sir.

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