Kane named new vice president of student affairs

Pitt-Bradford has named Dr. Scott Kane as its next vice president and dean of student affairs.

Kane recently served as dean of students and interim vice president for student affairs at Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I.

“I'm confident he will do an outstanding job for our campus,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford, in making the announcement. “He has extensive experience in the field and is deeply committed to a campus culture of respect for the dignity of all human beings.”

Kane will replace Dr. K. James Evans, the current vice president and dean, who announced last August that he would retire this summer. Evans will retire Aug. 1 with 42 years of service to the university. Kane will begin work on July 30.

Evans is the second top administrator who will retire this summer. Alexander will retire June 30, with interim president Dr. Lawrence Feick beginning on July 1.

“I am humbled and honored by this appointment,” Kane said.

Kane has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, beginning as an area coordinator at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he supervised residence halls for about 600 students.

He went on to become the assistant director of student life at Loyola College of Maryland, where he also oversaw a residence hall area, including its staff and their training. From there, he became director of residence life and then assistant dean of student affairs at Western Maryland College.

His work there included the development of living-learning communities and establishing a threat-assessment team, among other accomplishments.

In 2000, he became associate dean for student life at Rhode Island College before becoming dean of students. As dean, he oversaw judicial affairs, student activities, veterans' affairs, health education and Greek life and served on multiple university committees.

Kane holds a Master of Science in counseling and student personnel services from Kansas State University and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Maryland.

He grew up in the southern tier of New York State and received his bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.  He, his wife, Patti, and three children, Owen, Andrew and Ellie, will relocate to the Bradford area this summer.

“I am very excited to get started and help support the aspiring students at Pitt-Bradford.  With the assistance of a remarkable student affairs team, I am confident we can provide them with a transformative co-curricular educational experience.”

As vice president and dean of student affairs at Pitt-Bradford, Kane will oversee career, counseling and health services, new student orientation, residence life and housing, student activities, community engagement and the Harriet B. Wick Chapel and student conduct. He will also serve as a member of the president's cabinet.