Mere weeks after former Dean of Students Linda Donnels announced her retirement after serving for more than 30 years, the University has selected GW alumnus and University administrator Peter Konwerski to assume the role.

Konwerski – who most recently served as associate vice president and chief administrative officer for Student and Academic Support Services – will lead a reconfigured “student life” arm of SASS. He will “focus on student academic success, educational outreach and prevention, student engagement and clinical support services,” in his new role, according to a press release on Thursday.

Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak said the reconfiguration of the department comes as the University transitions new Provost Steven Lerman.

“Peter Konwerski has truly lived the GW experience, having served his alma mater with distinction as a student, faculty member and senior administrator in our student affairs division, and I am pleased he has agreed to help bridge the relationship between students and their lives in and out of the classroom,” said Robert A. Chernak, senior vice provost and senior vice president for student and academic support services. “This new student life and learning unit is the first piece of the puzzle as we transition student affairs under GW’s new provost.”

Other long-serving administrators within SASS will also move into new leadership roles under the reconfiguration of the department.

Former Assistant Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Helen Cannaday Saulny was promoted to associate vice president and dean of freshmen, a position currently held by Fred Siegel. Siegel will transition to the role of associate vice president and chief administrative officer, according to the release.