Dr. Robert Ackerman, vice president for student services, has announced that he is stepping down from his post, effective May 19.

Ackerman, whose doctorate from Indiana University, Bloomington, is in higher education administration, will take a position as clinical associate professor of educational leadership in UNLV's College of Education. He will begin teaching in the area of higher education leadership this fall.

"It is time for a change in the direction of Student Services at UNLV, and in the direction of my life," Ackerman said. "I have been involved in student services for 34 years, and while it has been a wonderful experience, I feel that I'm ready to pursue new and different challenges."

Ackerman came to UNLV in 1986 from Saint Leo College in Florida, where he was vice president for student affairs for 11 years. He was a member of the student services administration at the University of Notre Dame from 1971 to 1975. When he came to UNLV it was as dean of student services. President Robert Maxson appointed him vice president in 1989.

Ackerman's responsibilities at UNLV have included the following programs: Academic Advancement, Campus Community Development, Campus Housing, Campus Recreational Services, Career Services, Disability Resource Center, International Student Services, McDermott Physical Education Complex, Multicultural Student Affairs, NCAA Academic Services, Public Safety, Student Development Center, Student Health Center, Student Psychological Services, Women's Center, discipline and judicial systems, student government, university food service, and university bookstore.

"Bob's tireless commitment, personal sacrifice, and compassionate leadership for the past 14 years have been great assets to student life and to the university as a whole," President Carol Harter said. "He has contributed much to the development of his division's many student centered programs and facilities and has ensured that the division has participated fully in the university's strategic planning process."

Ackerman oversaw the planning and construction of seven new residence halls, with construction of an eighth hall to begin this summer; the renovation of Tonopah Hall and the Moyer Student Union; and the construction of the Wilson Dining Commons, the Reynolds Student Services Complex, the Public Safety Building, and the Student Health Center. He started the Women's Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, the Disability Resource Center, and New Student Orientation, among other programs.