July 7, 2016

SVSU hires longtime higher education leader for top student affairs position

Saginaw Valley State University has hired an advocate for students - with over 23 years of higher education leadership experience - to serve as its new associate provost for student affairs.

Sidney R. Childs will begin his work at SVSU in July after serving since 1993 at Bowling Green State University.

Since 2014, Childs has worked as both interim vice president and assistant vice president for student affairs at the Ohio campus, located south of Toledo.

During that time, Childs led programs to enhance student retention and persistence to graduation, and also to strengthen community partnerships. Furthermore, he has provided direction for underrepresented student populations, offering guidance on campus issues relating to diversity, inclusion, multicultural affairs, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

“Throughout my professional career, I have been intentional about cultivating a campus and community environment where students feel welcomed and strive to create a more just and equitable world, one in which all of our students see themselves as valuable individuals and feel confident and competent in their own identities,” Childs said.

Prior to his work in Bowling Green's student affairs office, Childs led the university's TRIO programs, which offered educational outreach and academic enrichment programs for first generation and underserved students.

His new role at SVSU also will involve nurturing an inclusive and empowering campus environment.  Deborah Huntley, SVSU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Childs will provide an engaging leader and supportive voice for students there.

“Dr. Sidney Childs brings a wealth of experience to SVSU,” Huntley said. “His work as interim vice president for student affairs at Bowling Green, leadership in TRIO and innovation in student programming has helped countless students meet their potential as engaged citizens. He has shown an ability to work across units within the university to foster student development in and out of the classroom. We are very excited to have Sidney join SVSU.”

Childs earned a Doctor of Education degree in leadership studies in 2013, a Master of Public Administration degree in organizational development in 1993, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in business law in 1990, all at Bowling Green.

He will replace Merry Jo Brandimore, who plans to retire in August after 33 years at SVSU.