Frank E. Ross III, a national leader in student affairs with 22 years of experience and degrees from both Ball State and Indiana universities, was named Butler University’s new Vice President for Student Affairs. He began the position in June.

Ross comes to Butler from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he has served as Vice President for Student Life. Prior to that, he was Vice President for Student Affairs at Northeastern Illinois University, Associate Provost for Student Success and Dean of Students at University of North Texas at Dallas, and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life at IUPUI.

He earned a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Adult and Community Education from Ball State, an M.A.E. in Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University, and his doctorate in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Butler President James M. Danko praised Ross as “a national leader in the student affairs profession with involvement in NASPA, the preeminent international association dedicated to the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession.”

Ross served as a member of the NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Board of Directors, was the national director of Knowledge Communities, and served as chair for the 2016 NASPA Annual Conference. He also was a member of the James E. Scott Academy Board for senior student affairs officers.

Ross has received awards and recognition from NASPA, the National Resource Center on the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, the National Academic Advising Association, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the American College Personnel Association for his work and research. In addition, he received the 2016 Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University.

Ross will be joined in Indianapolis by his husband, David, and their son, Mason, both of whom share in the excitement about coming to Indianapolis and joining the Butler community.