The Office of Student Life eliminated the roles of Mark Jackson, associate director of student organizations and programs, and Mary Beth Cuevas, associate director of Leadership Camps.
Chris Riley, vice president of student life, said the office reduced their positions from full-time to reduced full-time positions because of budgeting.
“In Student Life, we constantly evaluate the best way to continue serving students and meeting strategic priorities while living within the resources with which we have been blessed,” Riley said in an email statement. “Unfortunately, that sometimes means consolidating and reorganizing positions within our division, which is currently impacting two of our colleagues.”
The office hosted a reception for Jackson on his last work day, May 31 and more than 30 faculty, staff and social club sponsors came to honor Jackson. Tom Craig, director of student productions and Jackson’s supervisor, said Jackson started working in the student life office five years ago with the task of enforcing Texas hazing laws for social clubs.
“So with tasks like that, you can kind of imagine the roller coaster this job presents,” Craig said.
Gayla Pope, Ko Jo Kai sponsor, said she will miss Jackson and his impact on student life.
“We just appreciate everything he has done to uphold social clubs and support the girls and to support us sponsors as we work with him,” Pope said. “We just wish him all the best.”
Cuevas will serve in her role until the end of 2016 camps. Riley said he is working with Cuevas’ and Jackson’s supervisors to create new reduced full-time positions which will be posted soon. Riley said they are both free to apply for the new positions if they choose.
“These new positions will each handle some parts of Mark’s and Mary Beth’s current responsibilities as well as some new responsibilities related to Spiritual Formation,” Riley said. “Even as it’s evolving, I believe our new structure will continue to provide students with excellent resources for student engagement and leadership development.”
Jackson said he does not have plans for a job yet but he and his family want to stay in Abilene. His wife works from home while his two children attend elementary school in Abilene.
“Our heart’s desire is to stay in Abilene and hopefully even ACU,” said Jackson, “God might have other plans and so that’s the thing that we’re wrestling with is what’s next? Our heart is to remain here.”