Just so you know at his first (and last?) townhall with students, Padilla said his mission is to ensure VU will thrive for the next 100 years and he will not be a lame duck president. So, I guess, we're cool 
President Padilla's experiment of hiring his "buddy" for VP for Enrollment Management went down the crapper. Now back to square one. Back in 2020-21, when Ray Brown was going out the door, Valpo had the opportunity to hire the right person that was already in house with the person who was under the Provost wing that ran retention strategies. She improved enrollment at the other schools she was at and now is currently back in Indiana.
If the search committee was smart, she's the first person I'd call. I believe her husband worked at VU after her in athletics
President Padilla's experiment of hiring his "buddy" for VP for Enrollment Management went down the crapper. Now back to square one. Back in 2020-21, when Ray Brown was going out the door, Valpo had the opportunity to hire the right person that was already in house with the person who was under the Provost wing that ran retention strategies. She improved enrollment at the other schools she was at and now is currently back in Indiana.
If the search committee was smart, she's the first person I'd call. I believe her husband worked at VU after her in athletics
This post is pure absurdity and hilarity all wrapped up into one. By using the term "buddy" you are inferring this individual wasn't perfectly qualified for this role. The person in question was an alum of the school and had an excellent resume. By saying "buddy" you make it appear they weren't qualified. That's laughable for one and offensive for another.
you are inferring this individual wasn't perfectly qualified for this role
That poster has also lost count of Padilla’s enrollment VPs.
President Padilla's experiment of hiring his "buddy" for VP for Enrollment Management went down the crapper. Now back to square one. Back in 2020-21, when Ray Brown was going out the door, Valpo had the opportunity to hire the right person that was already in house with the person who was under the Provost wing that ran retention strategies. She improved enrollment at the other schools she was at and now is currently back in Indiana.
If the search committee was smart, she's the first person I'd call. I believe her husband worked at VU after her in athletics
This post is pure absurdity and hilarity all wrapped up into one. By using the term "buddy" you are inferring this individual wasn't perfectly qualified for this role. The person in question was an alum of the school and had an excellent resume. By saying "buddy" you make it appear they weren't qualified. That's laughable for one and offensive for another.
I'm guessing the "buddy" in question wasn't Jill, but rather Brian O'Rourke who was named VP of enrollment on April 13, 2021. He came from Mount St. Mary's University in LA.
If O’Rourke came from California and Padilla came from DePaul, when exactly were they buddies? This thread is getting weird, and @vusupport seems to be grinding a particular axe… one that has been ground before, it seems.
Oh I’m definitely talking about Jill. Look at the failed enrollment projections, Initiatives and no retention strategies that she and Padilla discussed when she was hired. O’Rourke saw the writing on the wall and bailed for “family” reasons. Paul love you to death a d your loyalties to VU, but dude you need to take off the Brown & Gold colored glasses. This is troubling and Padilla failed on many levels of hires and other areas.
Whereas, President José D. Padilla has not demonstrated the ability to recruit and effectively lead senior administrators, as evidenced by, among other issues, significant turnover in key leadership positions;
In the last several months VU hosted a president forum in major cities. It seems several were done. Or perhaps not? I may be wrong but I recall the March 6 date of the first MVC day being planned for a Padilla forum too.
If Padilla is "going strong" through all of 2025 as he said to the faculty, cancelling it or any of the last three in Pittsburgh, MN or WI would be a bad look. It would suggest he is now hiding from alumni.Hopefully that is not the case.
First, I would really like to know what the program is for these president forums? If it is just Pres. Padilla talking, without any interaction/Q&A with the audience, that would be very disappointing. If anyone here has been to one of these forums, can you please share what the program has been? (I am in WI, which inexplicably is last)
Additionally, it is not good that Pres. Padilla is serving until the end of the year. He clearly missed goals during his tenure on enrollment and, to my knowledge missed goals on donations. Further (and as others have pointed out), he has been poor at finding/retaining executive staff. You own these measures if you are Valpo's senior executive. Bottom line: he has failed as president. Even more, he does not speak for Valpo in 2026 and beyond in any meaningful way. For 2025, Valpo would be better served by the provost or a board member serving as acting president because they will have longer term interest in Valpo.
I just looked at the Valpo website again today. Pittsburgh remains a tour stop, but the former listing of MN and WI cities for May tour stops is removed.
Wouldn't it make sense to keep those city commitments, but put board chair-elect Jon Steinbrecher in front to receive the questions and dreams of the alumni?
You set up a "tour" stop in New Orleans and Pittsburgh, but you cancel two of the biggest Valpo cities? Why cancel those two unless you are running away from the feedback you claimed that you wanted?
