Ajay Nair, a Philadelphia native, began his new position as an assistant dean of students at the University on Monday. He replaces Glenna Chang as the assistant dean in charge of Asian and Asian-American affairs.
After a formal national search that lasted several months, a search committee of students, University faculty and administrators chose Nair for the position.
"He had the most experience dealing with Asian-American issues and he had the passion and charisma that stood out more than the other candidates," said Janis Millete, a fourth-year College student and a member of the search committee.
Nair said he will place particular emphasis on Asian and Asian-American students at the University, but ultimately is responsible to all students.
"He had the right combination of experience with the [Asian and Pacific-American] community and a bright, generous and gregarious personality," Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said.
Before coming to Charlottesville, Nair spent five years as an assistant director of admissions and a counselor in the multicultural resource office at Pennsylvania State University.
Nair said the job opportunity crossed his desk a few months ago, and it sparked his interest.
"I wasn't really looking for a new job, but it seemed like a great opportunity," Nair said. "I think I'll like it a lot."
He also said one of the reasons the University attracted him was because it is a smaller institution than Penn State, but more diverse.
Although Penn State has about 40,000 students, it has about 1,200 Asian students, the same as the University, Nair said.
The three-year-old position is relatively new at the University. Chang was the first assistant dean to specialize in Asian and Asian-American students' needs. Chang began programs such as peer advising, leadership programs and alumni networks, Millete said. Nair also worked with these types of programs at Penn State.
"We felt he could bring our existing programs to higher levels," Millete said.
Nair, who has not had much time to settle into his position as assistant dean, said he plans to continue the programs that Chang developed, such as peer advising.
Before he begins any new programs, Nair said he wants to meet students and get their input on what they want from him.
"He also brings a marvelous enthusiasm for and dedication to students that is remarkably similar to Dean Chang," Laushway said. "We feel he will be a great attribute to the Office of the Dean of Students and the University community at large"
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