The UA has named a permanent dean of students, a position that has been unfilled for the past year.

Last week, Kendal Washington White was named the assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students. She has served in the position in an interim role since January 2013.

The announcement is the culmination of a year-long search to fill the position after Keith Humphrey left in January 2013. White said she initially did not apply for the position in the spring semester of 2013. When the UA was unable to find someone to fill the role, another search was initiated in the fall and White applied.

“I applied for the position because … this position is the only dean position that is fully focused on students,” White said.

The UA used a search consulting firm, Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, in its national search for a new dean of students, said Melissa Vito, senior vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. She said that she was not happy with the pool of candidates produced from the initial search in the spring semester of 2013.

Vito said that the effort in the fall was more successful, and she was pleased with the two final candidates, one of whom was White.

“[White] has really led the area [of Student Affairs] and I felt like she would be able to continue on the progress that she’s done,” Vito said. “She earned the position through the process.”

White has worked with the UA for more than 20 years, holding previous positions in Minority Student Affairs and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. White attended Virginia Commonwealth University for her undergraduate education and received a master’s degree in education at NAU.

The dean of students oversees several areas of the UA, including the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, the Graduate and Professional Student Council, Arizona Student Media and Campus Health Service, according to White. The Dean of Students Office also handles the UA Misdemeanor Diversion Program for students.

“[The position] is a lot of direct student contact in student leadership and development and employment,” White said.

Morgan Abraham, president of ASUA, said that ASUA works very closely with the Dean of Students Office and has worked with White since she entered office around nine months ago. Abraham was one of the members on the search committee for the dean of students.

“The reason I supported Kendal [Washington White] so heavily is because she is a really good balance of doing what needs to be done,” Abraham said. “At the same time … she’s really personable and students really love her.”

Vito said that she is happy with the progress White has already made in the Dean of Students Office.

“Kendal [Washington White] did a really terrific job and has done a great job in the interim role, and [is] making progress on some significant issues,” Vito said.

White said that she is looking forward to serving in her permanent role as dean of students.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to serve the larger institution around health and safety issues in particular,” White said. “I’m fortunate to be a part of a great team of folks in Student Affairs.”