Provost names acting vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students

Aaron Haight has been appointed acting vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students, as Loren Rullman is stepping down to pursue another professional opportunity. 

Maria Cimitile, provost and executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, said Haight’s duties as acting vice provost and dean of students will begin May 15. Haight is currently the associate dean of students and has oversight in the areas of student conduct and resolution and student support and intervention, as well as leadership in the Division of Student Affairs.

Haight has worked with the students of GVSU since 2000. She has served in a number of leadership roles at GVSU, including assistant director of Student Life, director of Student Conduct and Special Projects and assistant dean. 

She has advised the fraternity and sorority community and coordinated the Transitions Orientation program, along with a variety of other student organization services. Haight has also taught classes in the School of Public Administration and the College of Education.

Prior to coming to GVSU, Haight worked as a project manager for Edison Schools, Inc. in New York City and as a special events and development coordinator at Special Olympics Michigan.

“Dr. Haight and I have worked together over the years and I can affirm that she brings solid leadership experience to this role,” Cimitile said. “She is an outstanding colleague and I appreciate her stepping in to fill this role.” 

Rullman has served as vice provost for student affairs and dean of students since 2018. Prior to GVSU, he served in leadership and consulting roles at various higher education institutions, most recently the University of Michigan.

Cimitile said she has appreciated that Rullman’s work has been marked by wisdom, insight, energy, humor and with a mindset of what is best for GVSU students.

“Vice Provost Rullman brought cohesiveness to the Division of Student Affairs during a critical transition period and has led it to be a strong, unified, and sustainable unit for the future,” Cimitile said. “His calm presence, good judgment and solid leadership have been appreciated, especially throughout this past year’s pandemic. His broad understanding of student affairs and passion for students ensured that they were engaged and were the focus of decisions as they were made.”