Correction appended

The University appointed a chief human resources officer Tuesday to fill the position that has been vacant for five months.

Sabrina Ellis will assume the role of vice president for human resources Jan. 17 – the spring semester’s first day of classes.

Ellis is the assistant vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer at the City College of New York, CUNY. Before that, she served as a human resources director at New York University, where she earned her bachelor and graduate degrees.

“I’m just thrilled,” Ellis said, adding that she is attracted to GW because of its academic reputation.

She said she still needs to familiarize herself with the University, but that she will aim to “communicate the goodwill of the organization” to its employees.

The chief human resource officer is responsible for managing personnel records, benefits, staff recruitment and compensation. Ellis will also oversee the University’s staff learning, retirement, client services and equal employment opportunity programs, according to a University press release.

“Sabrina’s experience in human resources management, faculty and staff development, employee engagement and information technology will enhance the University’s capability to respond to the complex and diverse needs of its workforce,” Executive Vice President and Treasurer Louis Katz said in the release. Katz oversaw the months-long search, which garnered hundreds of applicants.

Louis Lemieux, who joined the University as chief human resources officer in Sept. 2009, resigned the post in mid-July to return to the private sector.

This post was updated Dec. 14, 2011 to reflect the following:
The Hatchet incorrectly reported Ellis’s organization was City University of New York. In fact, she works at City College of New York, CUNY.