Veteran administrator selected as vice chancellor

A college administrator with more than 30 years experience will become vice chancellor for student success and enrollment management at UCCS.

Homer “Bucky” Wesley, currently vice president for student services at Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, Miss., was selected as vice chancellor following a national search. Wesley and two other finalists visited UCCS in January.

“Dr. Wesley brings a depth and variety of experiences focused on improving the college student experience,” UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak said.  “He is dedicated to improving access to the benefits of a university education and to serving the needs of students.”

Since 2003, Wesley has served as vice president at Mississippi University for Women, a co-educational state university with 2,500 students. He provided direction for student activities, judicial affairs, career services, campus recreation, diversity education, counseling, residence life, student recruitment, financial aid and many other functions.  For more than 16 years, he held student affairs positions at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss., including associate vice president of student affairs, assistant vice president for enrollment management, dean of admissions and director of recruitment. He began his professional career at Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., in the Office of High School and Junior College Relations and Pre-college Counseling.

He holds a doctoral degree in educational administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn.

“I am impressed by the strength and standing of the academic programs at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the quality of life that Colorado Springs offers and the warmth of the people I met on my visit to the campus,” Wesley said. “This position is an excellent fit both personally and professionally.”

As vice chancellor for student success, Wesley will have oversight for enrollment services, financial aid, student retention, academic advising, counseling, student health, and student life.  He will serve as a member of the chancellor’s leadership team and as an officer of the university. Wesley will begin at UCCS July 1.