By Elijah McGuire-Berk
Web Editor
Washington College President Shelia Bair has appointed Victor Sensenig to the position of chief of staff vice president for planning and policy.
Sensenig’s new position involves aiding Bair in running the College. “The president is trying to advance several strategic priorities in order to make sure that the College is achieving its mission and its vision going forward. The College and the board and the president determined several priorities that involve different offices on campus,” he said.
“Some of the strategic priorities might involve the Career Center getting a certain percentage of students employed by graduation or another set of priorities would involve retention, keeping students who show up as freshmen around for their second year.” He said that as chief of staff, it is his job to help the campus offices communicate with each other and coordinate their efforts to achieve President Bair’s goals for the College.
Sensenig said, “The other part of it is working with the Board. The Board of Visitors and Govenors appoints the president and they meet every few months. I become a point of contact between the Board and the president.”
He also acts as a contact point with the College’s faculty, staff, and the president. He said, “It’s a point of connection from the president to all of these different groups of people, the board, faculty, and staff.” While the College’s executive board selected the president, the president herself selected Sensenig.
Sensenig is a recent addition to the WC staff. He has worked here since March 2015. He got his Ph.D. in educational theory and policy at Penn City University. He then went on to work at New York’s Institutional Research Office. He said, “I was looking to grow, for more responsibility. I like the mission of the small liberal arts college, so I attended one for my undergraduate degree and I see so much value in it. I knew I wanted to work in higher education, but what kind of place?” When he saw a posting for WC, he applied and the College hired him.
He said that he is looking forward to the position. “I’m inspired by the president’s vision for the College, particularly her ideas about making college more affordable. You get a high-quality education, but a lot of colleges will put that out of reach for students.” He will move from his Cromwell office to Bunting when the change in position is finalized.
Sensenig is replacing Joe Holt, who had been chief of staff since 2001. Holt will be stepping in to the position of executive director of institutional and government giving in the Office of Advancement.
In a release from the Office of College Relations, Holt said, “Like so many others, I have been impressed by Vic’s intellect and appreciative of his contributions to the advancement of strategic initiatives at the College. I stand ready to assist him in any way as he transitions to this new role.”
Sensenig previously worked as the provost for institutional research and assessment. Regarding his old position, he said, “The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment is the office that does reporting to the federal and state government. It becomes a source for official numbers.” He handled research on topics such as WC’s retention rate and its post-graduate employment rate. Although he has been promoted, he will still manage the department.