Dr. Jim Fereira, Senior Vice President for Student Development at Anderson University in South Carolina discusses the changing college climate and effective strategies to retain students by building community and strong relationships across the campus. In this podcast we'll address how essential it is for universities to dedicate staff and resources to serve and retain as many students as possible.
Dr. Jim Fereira has worked in college and university student development roles for over 36 years. He currently serves as senior vice president for student development at Anderson University, SC beginning there in 2013. Previously he served as dean of students at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN for 14 years, dean of students at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN for 8 years, and as a residence director at Evangel University in Springfield, MO for 7 years.
Dr. Fereira earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development in Higher Education where he studied the spiritual engagement of college students. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Counseling from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary/Evangel University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Taylor University in Indiana.
During his student development career, Dr. Fereira has provided leadership to areas of student affairs including residence life, counseling and health services centers, career services, campus ministries, student leadership development programs, new student orientation and freshman programs, student engagement, student success programs, accessibility services, diversity and international student programs, athletics and intramurals, student retention, and student affairs program development and assessment.
