Weber named vice president for student life

A. Scott Weber has been named UB’s vice president for student life after a very successful tenure as the university’s vice provost and dean of undergraduate education and, more recently, as senior vice provost for academic affairs.

The announcement was made today by President Satish K. Tripathi, who cited Weber’s deep commitment to the university and UB students for the past 33 years.

Weber’s appointment is effective Jan. 3. 

“I am very excited that Scott will be leading our student life organization. With Scott’s knowledge of UB’s academic and student life enterprises, his leadership acumen and incredible enthusiasm for all things UB, I believe our student life organization will continue to thrive and innovate under Scott’s direction,” Tripathi said.

As vice president for student life, Weber will lead more than 20 units at the university, each dedicated to providing UB’s 29,500 students with the support and resources they need to thrive at the university and beyond.

These include Campus Dining and Shops, Student Unions, Career Services, Student Health Services, Campus Living, Off-Campus Student Services, Veteran Services and Orientation, and Transition and Parent Programs. Accessibility Resources, Judicial Affairs and Student Advocacy, the Intercultural and Diversity Center, Wellness Education Services, and Fraternity and Sorority Life, are among other student activities and programs.  

“I am humbled and honored to be asked by President Tripathi to serve in this new university role,” Weber said. “My whole career has focused on the student experience from enrollment through graduation and beyond, whether in the classroom, the laboratory or campus life. 

“This new opportunity allows me to further expand my commitment to our students. While I certainly will miss my work and colleagues in academic affairs, I look forward to building on the successful partnerships that already exist between these units and across campus.”  

Over the past six years as UB’s vice provost and dean of undergraduate education and senior vice provost for academic affairs, Weber has provided leadership for academic service units and programs that support the academic experience across all levels of the university, including student enrollment, retention and success, undergraduate education and curriculum, graduate education, pedagogical innovation and student-focused communications.

He has initiated or led successful innovations designed to enhance the academic experiences of students across the university, including formation and launch of UB Curriculum, the university’s new general education program, and creation and implementation of Finish in 4, the university’s nationally acclaimed program to help students earn their degrees in four years. Through the Finish in 4 program and prior university efforts, UB’s four-year graduation rate has increased by more than 20 points over the past 10 years.  

Weber also established a new enrollment management division, which resulted in development of UB’s winter session, record freshman enrollment and greater awareness of enrollment issues across campus. 

He revitalized and rebranded pedagogical innovation and assessment efforts through development of the Center for Educational Innovation and implementation of a university-wide course evaluation platform, and championed efforts to reimagine the delivery of high-impact undergraduate courses. 

Expansion of the Educational Opportunity Program, Honors College and the Undergraduate Academies also occurred under Weber’s leadership, and he directed university efforts to establish the Blackstone LaunchPad for enhancement of student and faculty business startups.  

Weber has helped lead transformational initiatives aimed at providing a better learning environment and greater service for all students, including the recently opened first phase of the Heart of the Campus on the third floor of the Silverman library and the launch of UB’s student information system, HUB, in 2011. 

As chair of the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering from 2005-10, Weber guided the establishment of UB’s transportation engineering program and the department’s rise in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. His work in these areas and initiatives generated a sense pride and energy among UB students, faculty and staff in the department, Tripathi noted.

Weber joined the UB faculty in 1983 and has been named professor of the year twice by the UB student chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. His teaching has focused on environmental engineering, with a specialization in process analysis and design for soil and water bioremediation. His research efforts are directed toward biodegradation of chemicals in water and soil, particularly pharmaceuticals, and the reclamation of environmentally impacted sites known as brownfields. 

Weber received his BS in civil engineering in 1977 and an MS in sanitary engineering in 1978 from Virginia Tech. In 1983 he earned a PhD in civil engineering from the University of California, Davis.