Penn State Vice President of Student Affairs Steps Down

Story posted February 1, 2023 in CommRadio, News by Alison Patton

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State announced Damon Sims has officially stepped down as Vice President of Student Affairs after serving the University for almost 15 years on Jan. 31. He will serve as a special assistant to the president until June 30. Once his term is finished, Sims will be a non-tenure-line associate professor, according to the press release.

Sims received the position in 2008 and has worked with students to create a better university. Over the 15 years, Sims has worked with and led 500 full-time and about 1,000 part-time employees of the Student Affairs office.

Some of his major projects include the creation of the Parents Program in 2010, which is a board of Penn State parents. Sims created the Collegiate Recovery Act a year later in 2011, which is a resource for students seeking help with long term alcohol and substance abuse.

Sims chaired University Task Force on Sexual Assault and Harassment in 2014, which established several policies to aid the Title IX office. He also created the Fraternity and Sorority Compliance in response to the 2017 hazing death of Timothy Piazza.

The former vice president has also raised $24.4 million in private funds for Student Affairs, and has also advised and oversaw THON activities in the past.

Andrea Dowhower is temporarily filling the seat while the University conducts a nationwide search to find a permanent replacement. Dowhower’s first day as interim vice president begins Feb 1.

Alison Patton is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. You can email her at axp5935@psu.edu.