CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College has named Dr. Ricky Kirby as its new vice president for student experience, effective May 26. Kirby will oversee areas focused on student engagement, student success, and the overall student experience at the College.
Kirby brings a background in higher education leadership, student affairs, housing and residence life, fraternity and sorority life, and organizational development. Most recently, he served as chief experience officer and acting chief executive officer for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, where he oversaw organizational growth, education, alumni engagement, conduct and risk prevention, and student-leadership initiatives.
“Ricky’s passion for students, his strategic mindset, and his deep understanding of student development make him an outstanding addition to the Culver-Stockton community,” said Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, C-SC President. “His leadership experience and commitment to helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom align strongly with our mission and our focus on creating a transformational student experience.”
Kirby said he was drawn to Culver-Stockton because of its student-centered mission and the opportunity to make a direct impact on students’ lives.
“The opportunity to be back on a campus, particularly a smaller institution where I feel like I can truly make a difference in the lives of students, was incredibly appealing,” Kirby said. “I was particularly drawn to the combination of student success and student life departments sitting under one division. Those areas together provide a strong backdrop to support student retention and experience.”
He also pointed to the College’s strategic direction and campus culture as key factors in his decision.
“I was drawn to President Schellenberger’s bold vision and the strategic plan for C-SC, which intensely focuses on the student experience and success,” Kirby said.
Kirby earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and a Master of Public Administration from University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from University of Memphis.
Throughout his career, Kirby has worked in student engagement, housing and residence life, leadership development, and student support roles at multiple institutions, including Christian Brothers University, Southwestern University, and the University of Georgia.
As he begins the role, Kirby said one of his first priorities will be listening and learning from the campus community.
“My primary focus is to understand what makes C-SC special and important and to identify how I can support the impact of its programs, initiatives, offices, and experiences,” Kirby said. “I want to ensure all our students feel like a critical part of the C-SC community and have the tools, resources, and skills to reach graduation.”
Learn more about student life at C-SC at https://culver.edu/campus-life/student-life/.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.