Leonard Perry officially took office yesterday as the new senior associate dean of students, replacing Shamim Sisson, who retired after 18 years at the University.
During her time at the University, Sisson was an active member of the community, said Dean of Students Penny Rue. She created Family Weekend and ran it for many years. Upon her departure, Sisson was awarded the Algernon Sidney Sullivan award for her contributions to the University.
"She's an amazing person," Rue said. "I think she is best known for her individual care and responding to individual students."
Perry was chosen to replace Sisson because of his considerable experience prior to coming to the University, Rue said.
Perry said he has 25 years of experience as a student life dean at other universities, including stints at Brown, Florida State, Purdue and Iowa State.
"I was very excited about the opportunity to join the family at U.Va.," Perry said.
Rue said Perry will assume the same responsibilities as Sisson, which included working on intercultural understanding and diversity issues and handling everyday concerns of students and student groups.
"Anyone can approach him with any concern," she added.
Although he has only been in office for one day, Perry said the transition has been an easy one.
"My responsibilities will be to provide leadership and some direction and oversight to the office of student life with a focus ... on comprehensive issues of diversity," Perry said.
Later in the week, Sisson will be meeting with Perry in order to give him some insight and guidance as he transitions into the new office, Perry said.
"I don't have any broad plans at this point," Perry said. "I do intend to work with the staff associated with the office of student life [and] work on a strategic plan that is connected with the vision of U.Va."
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