When you picture an administrator’s office you probably picture dark cherry wood, miles of book case shelves filled with anthologies and collections of intense reading, dark curtains pulled shut, a crowded and paper-filled desk and a leather couch that looks as though its cushions have never seen a Sunday afternoon nap. This image is not what you’ll find when you walk into Philip Cavalier’s office.
Maybe the office is barren because Cavalier has just moved in to his new position as Academic Affairs Vice Chancellor and Provost in July, but maybe its open windows, bare shelves and well cushioned couches indicate more. His office does not appear to be filled with work yet, but as he settles in to his new office, he’s sure to find the charm that UTM has to offer to be more than home enough.
Cavalier said that in order to effectively work for a school and achieve your goals, you must first understand the institution’s history and culture, so you don’t miss opportunities. He believes that student life and academic affairs should be well coordinated and work in cooperation with each other.
“It’s all connected,” he said in regards to the dynamic between student life, career development, academic affairs and student feedback.
Cavalier says that initially, he would like to see expansion in the international student department and an increased ability for all students to reasonably participate in study abroad programs.
“I would like to see us get back to a larger international student population. I also want to expand international travel as a part of courses,” said Cavalier. He said he knows that money can be an issue for students when considering travel studies and that he would like to explore what options could help these programs.
Cavalier also hopes to implement a peer-mentor program that could help first-generation college students get adjusted to the college climate and navigate their college journey better.
He said that of his previous institutions that had similar programs, the availability and organization was incredibly valuable.
“It was not mandatory, but about two thirds of the first-gen first-years participated in it. The retention rate for those that participated was 20 points higher than for those who didn’t. It can have a profound impact,” he said.
Cavalier also noted that faculty at UTM are not as research-pressed as faculty at other universities, which he considers to be a good thing for the teaching ability of professors.
“[It] impressed me during my interview process here. It was very clear that not only did faculty want to be good teachers and mentors, but they knew their students and they knew what happened to them when they graduated.”
Cavalier, much like Chancellor Keith Carver and other administrators at UTM, places a large focus on the direct line of communication with students and he hopes to participate in focus groups and other forum-like events to hear what students are concerned about.
He comes from a wide variety of professional environments including, most recently, his position as Provost at Lyon College in Arkansas. He also holds his doctorate in English and has worked in higher education administration since 2004.
Cavalier has a passion for teaching and enhancing the learning experience and he had nothing but praise for Carver’s work as well. During his upcoming months settling in at UTM, his office is sure to become a little more full as his heart and home merge into the environment that is the home nest of the Skyhawks.
Dr. Philip Cavalier participates in the freshman convocation during FYI weekend. |Pacer Photo/ Sarah Knapp
