In a Tuesday email to the Yale community, University President Richard Levin announced that Kimberly Goff-Crews ’83 LAW ’86 will be Yale’s first vice president for student life.

In the newly created position, Goff-Crews will coordinate the student life efforts of administrators across Yale College and the graduate and professional schools, Levin said. She will also convene a council of the chief student affairs officers in each of the schools, he added.

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“At this moment in our history, it seems useful to ask an Officer to take leadership of efforts to support our students,” Levin said. “There are numerous administrative offices — ranging from housing to transportation to health services — that have expanded their services for students, but no single person is charged with assessing our success in meeting — or anticipating — student needs.”

Goff-Crews is not new to the Yale administration. Most recently, she served as one of four members of the Advisory Committee on Campus Climate, which was tasked with proposing a set of recommendations on how the University could more effectively target issues of sexual harassment, violence and misconduct. Levin released the committee’s 42-page report to the Yale community on Nov. 10.

Previously, she served as assistant dean of Yale College and director of the Afro-American Cultural Center from 1992 to 1998, when she worked on student programs such as Freshmen Orientation and Science, Technology and Research Scholars (STARS), which provides support for female and minority students in the sciences.

Goff-Crews currently serves as vice president for campus and student life at the University of Chicago, where Levin said she is “responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of student services and student life across the university.” At Chicago, Goff-Crews’ efforts ranged from student housing to health programs, Levin said.

When Goff-Crews steps into the role this summer, she will also assume the duties of University secretary — the position currently held by Linda Lorimer. Goff-Crews will take over from Lorimer in coordinating the University’s major ceremonial events, including Commencement, and supporting the Yale Corporation and the University Council, Levin said.

The change, Levin said, will allow Lorimer to focus on her responsibilities as vice president, such as overseeing international programs, alumni affairs, and communications and serving as senior advisor to Levin.

Lorimer has served as secretary for 18 years.

DANIEL SISGOREO