The Associated Students of the University of Wyoming are welcoming James Wheeler, the new project coordinator, a full-time paid position that has sat vacant for the past two years.
The duties of the project coordinator include overseeing the Freshman Senate, the United Multicultural Council and the Nontraditional Student Council as they serve the students of the university in their mission.
Wheeler is currently an admissions representative for the University of Wyoming, and he will be transitioning to the position of project coordinator Dec. 11, 2017. He said that the experience he has gained from his current job will assist him in these tasks.
“Coming from Admissions, I will be bringing experience, problem solving, supporting, encouraging and working with students from all background and walks of life,” Wheeler stated in an email.
Since Sept. 22, ASUW Advisor and Program Coordinator, Aaron Lozano, led the search to fill the vacancy. Interviews for the position started Oct. 12 and Lozano brought in ASUW senators to assist him in finding the right candidate.
The interviews were conducted in just over a week and students and senators were encouraged to show up to provide input on what they would like from the candidates.
Previously, the duties of the Project Coordinator have been split between Lozano, Accountant for ASUW, Kristy Isaak, and ASUW Graduate Assistant, Ashley Golden.
One of the duties that Wheeler will be overseeing is the Non-Traditional Student Council, which has not had a structure, or even a chair at times, for the past few years.
Lozano said that a myriad of issues has plagued the Non-Traditional Student Council, including the fact that many non-traditional students do not even know they are in that category. Many non-traditional students don’t have the time to come to meetings, as well as technological problems.
According the University of Wyoming website, a non-traditional student is over the age of 25, a Masters or PhD student, married, a parent, has a dependent, a ward of the court, a veteran or a child of deceased parents.
“It will be nice to have that Project Coordinator on board, so that we have our duties sort of where they are supposed to be,” Lozano said. “I am really excited to have this person on board, for sure, and we had really great candidates, so it was a very tough decision.”
