FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Division of Student Affairs has hired Aisha S. Kenner as associate dean of students for judicial affairs, effective Monday, July 8.

As associate dean of students for judicial affairs, Kenner is responsible for the oversight, planning and evaluation of the University judicial system. She is responsible for the day to day operation of the Office for Student Judicial affairs and works very closely with University Housing, University of Arkansas Police Department and many other departments across campus that act as referral agents.

Kenner said her most important role is to impact the student community through the fair administration of the Student Conduct Code and to aid in the growth and development of responsible citizens.

"We are thrilled to have Aisha in the Division of Student Affairs," said Brian Hemphill, associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students. "She has been assisting students for more than five years. Her experience at the University of Illinois has prepared her very well for her position with the University of Arkansas. She will be a valuable asset and leader as we build a judicial model based on providing positive learning experiences."

Kenner will also assist with the coordination of crisis management response for the Office of the Dean of Students and will serve as a judicial hearing officer and coordinate all administrative functions of the judicial system. She will also provide judicial training and secondary supervision of University hearing bodies; investigating, processing and adjudicating Code of Student Life violations; determining the jurisdiction and disposition of disciplinary cases and maintaining statistical records.

She will serve as a liaison to faculty, parents, students, and University and local police regarding the judicial system.

"I am extremely excited to be joining the University of Arkansas family," Kenner said. "During my visits to Arkansas I have met many wonderful people, both professionally and in the community, and I look forward to being active in both arenas. I look forward to working with all of the students, faculty and staff at the University of Arkansas."

Kenner has worked in academics since 1997 and before coming to the U of A, she worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She most recently served as assistant dean of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution in Student Affairs, where she was responsible for investigating and adjudicating alleged violations of the Code of Policies and Procedures Applying to All Students. She also served as the assistant director to the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Student Conduct, Graduate Student Conduct, Board of Fraternity Affairs and any other conduct based board that may require assistance in training or development of procedure.

Also as assistant dean, Kenner served as joint coordinator of the Ethics in Actions Program, responsible for the development of a training manual to be used in the training of various judicial boards and was responsible for the marketing and administration of the Violence Prevention Program, among other responsibilities.

Kenner was an Association of Student Judicial Affairs National Conference presenter in 2001 and 2002 and was a co-presenter at a regional conference in 1998. She has three years of teaching experience including serving as co-instructor for the Program on Intergroup Relations, facilitator for the Leadershape Summer Institute, and staff facilitator for First Year Impact Program and the Upward Bound Program. She was also the recipient of the Student Affairs Appreciation Award as a graduate student at Southern Illinois University in 1998.

Kenner received her bachelor's degree in political science in 1995 and master's degree in college student personnel in 1998, both from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.