WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Dr. Angela Totty, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, has been chosen to serve as dean of student services and athletic director at Missouri State University-West Plains.
Totty, who most recently served as vice president of student success at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, will replace Dr. Herb Lunday, who announced his retirement in June after a nearly 30-year career with the Missouri State University System and a 21-year tenure with Missouri State-West Plains. Totty’s first day on the job will be Nov. 3. Her appointment is subject to approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors. Lunday will continue working at the campus as part of a transition phase through December. His official retirement date is Jan. 1, 2015.
“After conducting a very exhaustive national search, we are delighted to add Dr. Angela Totty to our team,” said Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. “She is exceptionally well qualified and experienced, making her the perfect person to continue the great legacy established by Dr. Lunday in this important position.”
“My having been chosen to be part of the long-standing tradition of excellence at Missouri State-West Plains is such an honor and a privilege,” Totty said. “I am humbled to be following such a strong and dynamic leader as Dr. Herb Lunday, and I am looking forward to continuing many of the great initiatives he instituted and also developing ways to expand opportunities for our students.”
Totty said she believes her working experience has uniquely prepared her to serve as the dean of student services. “I have almost 20 years of experience working in various areas within student services. Most recently, my role as vice president for student success for Three Rivers College provided experience in a senior administrative role working with very similar areas of responsibility as this position. The past two years offered opportunities to learn about collegiate athletics, working with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Region 16, as well as providing leadership for the needs of students from entry to graduation,” she explained.
Totty comes to Missouri State-West Plains after spending two years as vice president of student success at Three Rivers College, overseeing such departments as admissions, recruitment, registration, disability services, testing services, housing, financial aid, student engagement, campus safety and athletics. She supervised budget development for all departments within the division, developed strategic plans for the division, implemented a student discipline educational program, and co-sponsored the President’s Leadership Academy. She also served as the senior athletic administrator and athletic director for Raiders Athletics.
Prior to joining Three Rivers, Totty served as director of student life for 12 years at Arkansas State University-Beebe (ASU-Beebe), a two-year campus within the four-year university system. In addition to developing budgets for 10 areas of operation and supervising seven functional areas of the campus, Totty was responsible for all aspects of the residence life program; supervised the student center operation and programs; served as administrator of the dining services program and liaison to the food services management contractor; planned, developed and implemented programs for student activities; and oversaw student organizations and leadership development.
She also served as career counselor and testing coordinator at ASU-Beebe for a year, during which time she administered required testing, developed a career class for undecided majors, served as academic advisor for undecided majors, and served as freshman seminar instructor for developmental students.
“My experience at ASU-Beebe has prepared me to understand the unique situation resulting from being a two-year college in a four-year system,” Totty said. “I had the opportunity to supervise many areas of student services at ASU-Beebe such as housing, student discipline, student activities, student leadership and development, as well as supervision of the student center and dining services.”
From January 1996 to July 2000, Totty worked as the women’s area coordinator in the student life office at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, where she directly supervised residence halls and staff, helped provide meaningful educational, social and recreational programming, and prepared the housing budget.
Totty received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree in May 1993 from Southern Arkansas University, her Master of Education in Agency Counseling in May 2000 from Southern Arkansas University, her Specialist of Education in Community College Administration in May 2007 from Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro, and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership in April 2012 from ASU.
Even with her education and experience, Totty expects a period of transition into her duties at Missouri State-West Plains. “I anticipate a period of transition in which I will be learning all I can about the programs and processes of the campus. I also know many in the community have supported the activities of student services, and I am looking forward to meeting and developing new friendships with all those who have an interest in Missouri State-West Plains,” she said.
“Dr. Bennett and the administrative team of Missouri State-West Plains have been great to welcome me to the campus, guiding me in the first steps down this new path,” she continued. “I am looking forward to working with each member of the Missouri State-West Plains family and keeping the needs of our students foremost in our minds.”