By
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean for Student Development Sheilah Shaw Horton, a student life administrator at Boston College for more than 20 years, has accepted the post of vice president for student affairs at Loyola University Maryland.
Horton, who will begin her duties at Loyola Sept. 1, has served as associate VP for student affairs since 2004 -- she was named assistant VP in 1999 -- and became dean for student development in 2008.
Vice President for Student Affairs Patrick Rombalski said, "Sheilah Shaw Horton has served the division of Student Affairs and the students of Boston College for almost 25 years. She has been responsible for the growth of the division of Student Affairs and the improvement of the quality of student life on campus. Students and faculty members have grown to appreciate her advocacy for student issues and her commitment to diversity. She has shown a real passion for working with students and has mentored dozens of them over the past several years in various capacities.
"Sheilah has left a strong, positive mark on Boston College and will be missed."
Horton said assuming the student affairs vice presidency at Loyola Maryland will give her the opportunity to provide leadership to "a broad and diverse division of significant size." She also discussed her eagerness to help implement the university's strategic plan, which includes the development of learning communities.
"Loyola is, like Boston College, a Jesuit, Catholic institution, and its mission and philosophy of caring for the individual are familiar -- and very appealing -- to me," said Horton, who first arrived at BC as a graduate student in 1984, then served as an assistant dean for student development from 1986-90 and as associate director of AHANA Student Programs from 1990-99.
Reflecting on her years at BC, Horton said she took satisfaction in developing the Benjamin Elijah Mays Mentoring Program and other services for AHANA students, helping shape organizational changes in Student Affairs -- including establishment of a business service center -- and her efforts to provide programming for on and off-campus students.
"I've also encountered many former students who have entered the field of higher education, and regard me as a mentor," said Horton. "I feel very pleased at having been able to contribute to the development of these young professionals."
In April of 2010, Horton was chosen by the Massachusetts Network American Council on Education National Network of Women Leaders for its Emerging Leader Award, which honors a woman in the state who has demonstrated growth in increasingly responsible leadership positions in higher education.
Horton said she will miss "the communities of support" at Boston College, and in particular the students -- "they're very special, so bright and motivated."
Horton added, "I've had such wonderful opportunities to grow here, professionally and personally, to move up through the institution into progressively more responsible positions. This has enabled me to make connections with many others throughout the University, and I will remember these associations and friendships very fondly."