As Knox's new vice president of student development, Anne Ehrlich oversees student life on campus—from housing to counseling and health services, careers and internships to community service. So who better to interview her than a current student?

Elise Goitia '18 is a sophomore psychology and creative writing major, dancer, and student writer in the Knox Office of Communications. Here's their interview: 

As the vice president of student development, how would you explain your role?

I provide general leadership to all the programs and services within the Division of Student Development. That includes the Dean of Students Office, Campus Life, Counseling and Health Services, the Center for Intercultural Life, the Bastian Family Career Center, and the Kleine Center for Community Service. ​​While each of these areas has its own dean or director, my role is to make sure they are all functioning together to provide a vibrant co-curricular life that complements students' academic experience. ​

With the recent Title IX investigations, what do you think could be improved or changed to make this campus a safe, positive space for students?

I believe this is a safe, positive space for students, and data from our Sexual Assault Campus Climate Survey indicates that we do a good job educating Knox students about sexual assault prevention and bystander intervention. But of course we are always striving to do more. There will never be enough prevention education, so we can and will do more of this. And I think we can and will communicate more with students about how and where to report, and about what happens once you do so (and why). It's important to me, and to Knox, that we are transparent in our policies and procedures and communication with our students. It's also equally important that students communicate clearly with us when they do not feel heard or respected, so if there is someone reading this that would like to talk with me about it, I'm here.

How do you hope to connect to students on this campus?

First and foremost, I will meet with any student who wants to talk to me. So I hope students take this as an open invitation to set up an appointment or drop by if they have a concern or anything they think I should know. My office is on the first floor of Old Main in the Office of Student Development. I've also been attending some Student Senate meetings, talking with the incoming Resident Assistants, stopping by student events, and talking with students at the Gizmo and other places around campus. I plan on soliciting invitations to some student organization meetings, and don't be surprised if you see me wandering around the residence halls. And, of course, I'll be at Flunk Day. (It's tomorrow.)

Have you done anything remarkably silly since first working for universities and colleges, that no one else noticed you'd done?

I once convinced a colleague that his office was haunted—I hid a walkie-talkie in a cabinet in there, and every once in a while I'd make random, scary noises into it. He never figured it out. ​

In light of the Flunk Day theme, Night of the Living Flunk, how do you think you'd survive a zombie apocalypse?

Hmm... I'm at a disadvantage because I have a lot of hair and so am easy to grab. But I'm also a pretty quick thinker, and zombies don't think so well. So I think I'd be okay.