 |
|
| Rankins brings experience, dedication
as new university registrar |
Andy Ferguson
Staff Writer
Academic Affairs Beat |
|
|
Appalachian State University recently
appointed 23-year employee Don R. Rankins as registrar this semester.
Cindy A. Wallace, acting associate vice chancellor
for enrollment, has worked with Rankins for 19 years and said he is
dedicated and a tremendous student advocate.
“His experience has really been incredible,”
said Wallace.
Providing quality service to the university is
important, said Rankins.
Rankins said he is not looking to make great changes
now that he is the university’s registrar. Improving the registrar’s
level of service is his primary goal.
Rankins applied at the registrar’s office
in 1979 and was hired as a student records supervisor.
Rankins said he felt his technical and management
experience added to his contributions to the university. He was promoted
first to assistant to the registrar and then to associate registrar.
|
In 1986, Rankins took
the position of coordinator for Student Information Systems.
“My technical responsibilities increased and I was attending
classes at the same time,” said Rankins.
While working in the registrar’s office, Rankins completed a
bachelor’s degree in office systems management at Appalachian
State, concentrating on communication, computer information systems
and business.
Rankins said he felt this coursework gave him a good background for
his job in the registrar’s office.
The biggest challenge in his career at Appalachian State has been
maintaining a high level of service to the university in light of
the current economic situation.
“My goal from day one has been to improve service,” said
Rankins.
Rankins praised his mentors and the administration at Appalachian
State for supporting his career move.
Appalachian State operates efficiently on the level of administration
due to great cooperative effort and communication, said Rankins.
Rankins said he has a long history with Appalachian State. He, his
brother and his son, Steven, earned their degrees from this university.
“[Appalachian State] is a big part of our family,” said
Rankins. “It is a privilege to work here.”
Rankins and his wife, Kathy, lived in Boone for 21 years. Now they
live on her family’s farm in Doe Valley, Tenn.
“We found Boone to be a great place to raise our son and we found
Appalachian to be a great place to work and learn,” said Rankins.
Wallace said Appalachian State advertised the open registrar position
before awarding it to Rankins.
Rankins completed a two-day interview process with various committees
here on campus and was selected for the registrar position based on
the committees’ recommendations.
Rankins said he had good feelings about the opportunity to share his
thoughts about the registrar’s office with the various committees. |
|
|
 |
 |
