Washington and Lee University is experiencing shifts in administrative leadership positions as some staff members leave and others step into their shoes.

“It’s been a while since I last wrote to you, and a lot has happened in a short time,” Alex Miller, vice president of student affairs, said in an April 1 email to the Washington and Lee community.

The email came months after some of the administrative changes took effect, following students’ concerns about turnover in public safety and changes to diversity, equity and inclusion staff. 

Alex Rabar, who became the interim Chief Public Safety Officer in January, has accepted the role permanently effective April 1, according to Miller’s email. Rabar replaced Craig VanClief, who had served as head of Public Safety since 2023. The university quietly replaced VanClief in January and has not addressed his departure, according to previous reporting by the Phi.

Tamara Futrell, formerly the dean for diversity, inclusion and student engagement, was promoted to dean of student engagement and leadership on March 1, according to Miller’s email.

Her new role expands to cover areas such as student organizations, outdoor education and recreation, health promotion, and emergency needs support, according to Miller’s email.

Kyle McCoil, associate dean of students and dean of sophomores and juniors, was promoted to associate dean of student affairs on Feb. 1, according to Miller’s email. In that role, he will take over the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life while continuing to serve sophomores and juniors and coordinate hazing prevention education.

Leah Beard, assistant dean of leadership, is no longer serving as advisor to the Panhellenic Council. McCoil is in the process of hiring a staff member to advise the Panhellenic Council and support fraternities and sororities, according to Miller’s email.

Chawne Kimber, former dean of the college, is leaving W&L in June to work as an administrator at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif.. She is responsible for 21 departments and 13 interdisciplinary programs as dean, according to an email from Provost Lena Hill.

Paul Youngman, associate provost and associate professor of German, will succeed Kimber as interim dean starting in July, according to Hill’s email.

“I was deeply honored and humbled when Provost Hill offered me the opportunity,” Youngman said. “Washington and Lee holds a special place in my heart, as an alumnus, a faculty member and a current parent.”

Youngman said his top priority is to ensure the continuity of the W&L’s Strategic Plan, which the university uses to set its goals.

The Strategic Plan mission statement says that the university “provides a liberal arts education that develops students’ capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility.” The plan is in its seventh year, said Youngman.

He said that, as dean, he plans to support national talent outreach and interdisciplinary opportunities.

Kim Hodge, former assistant dean of students, said in an email that she left W&L on March 21. She did not provide a reason why she left in her email.

Other changes include the promotion of Dean David Leonard to dean of students and the promotion of Annie Robinson to director of the counseling center.

Miller said the changes reflect Student Affairs’ ongoing commitment to enhancing student experiences.

“I have been proud of what we have accomplished so far, realigning and updating the Student Affairs organizational structure,” he said.