NKU President Geoffrey Mearns announced today that Peter Gitau will be the next vice president of student affairs at the university. Gitau will begin work April 1.

“We are excited to welcome Peter to the NKU leadership team,” Mearns said in the announcement email to the NKU community. “His breadth and depth of experience make him an ideal candidate to lead student affairs.”

Previously a vice chancellor and dean of students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Gitau will be responsible for all student support services including Student Life, African American Student Affairs, Student Achievement Center, Testing and Disability Services and Upward Bound. There are also spots for Gitau on the operations team, executive team and cabinet for NKU.

He will also oversee the development and programming for the $45 million Campus Recreation Center renovation and expansion, according to Mearns.

Kenyan-born Gitau received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. He earned a Master’s in Educational Administration at Eastern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Policy and Administration at the University of Kansas.

He was one of four finalists who recently visited campus to talk with students, faculty and staff. Interim vice president of student affair Lisa Rhine was also in the running for the position.

“Lisa has been a good steward during our presidential transition,” Mearns said. “And I speak for the entire university community when I express my gratitude for the work she has done.”