Mary Oling-Sisay named new vice president for student life at St. Norbert College

From St. Norbert College, March 26, 2007
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, (920) 403-3089

Mary Oling-Sisay, who for the past decade has served in the office of the vice president for student life at California State University at Chico, has been named vice president for student life at St. Norbert College effective July 1, 2007. At California State University, Oling-Sisay has worked as director of judicial affairs and director of special projects, as well as serving as a member of the president's senior management team.

"We are delighted to welcome Mary Oling-Sisay this summer to succeed Richard Rankin as vice president for student life," said William J. Hynes, president of St. Norbert College. "Oling-Sisay is a seasoned student life professional who was the unanimous selection of our campus-wide search committee from a field of 65 candidates nationwide. Born and raised in Uganda, Africa, Oling-Sisay's philosophy and leadership experience in student affairs matches with the intensive student-centered mission of St. Norbert College. She will also be the first woman to serve in this position and the first person of color to serve on the president's cabinet."

Oling-Sisay has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in public communications from Fordham University and a B.A. in literature and linguistics from Makerere University in Uganda.

Before leaving Uganda in 1972, Oling-Sisay was the information officer and head of the Pan-African News Agency. In addition to English, she speaks 10 African languages and has working knowledge of Swahili and French.

She will take over from Richard Rankin who is retiring after 29 years at St. Norbert College.