Admin select Shrout for director of Career Services

University officials named John Rick Shrout from the University of Alabama in Huntsville the University’s new director of career services effective March 2, Dr. Lou Ann Berman, assistant vice president of student life, announced last week.

“Rick brings a tremendous amount of experience to this position,” Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for student affairs said in a press release. “We are fortunate he has decided to accept our offer and we are excited to welcome him to UT Tyler.”

Shrout brings more than 20 years of experience to the University and is scheduled to be paid $52,000 a year, according to the Department of Human Resources. Berman and a search committee interviewed 20 applicants for the position.

“We wanted someone who had experience with career services, which was our Tier I level of applicants and Shrout followed all of these areas,” Berman said. Shrout served as the director of career services at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, is published in three journals and recognized as the 2008 Outstanding Placement Professional of the Year by the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers. He is also a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers and the American College of Personnel Association.

“I think he will bring an opportunity to expand the services that we currently offer and bring new opportunities to look at ways of dealing with career counseling,” Berman said. “He will work closely with the office of student services, student life and leadership and the office of academic support center to help students who are not sure about what they want to do.”

He also has served as the University of West Alabama’s Student Development Center director and is a Title III student services activity director/career counselor. Title III is the section of No Child Left Behind that provides funding and addresses English language acquisition and standards and accountability requirements for limited English proficient students, according to the Department of Education website.

Berman said experience as a Title III adviser and in career services, they are ready to welcome Shrout to the University.

“I hope that he will bring new initiatives and I don’t know any specifics other than additional opportunities for our students to connect with local, regional and state employers,” she said. “I would also like to see him bring additional support in helping students find their niche in their chosen profession and this office will play a strong role in helping students find themselves and figure out what they want to do professionally.”

Krista Richardson, who was the director of career services from January 2001 through August 2008, left after accepting a position at Texas Christian University. Garnesha Beck was named the interim director for the fall semester.

Beck will remain in the office of career services as the Employer Relations Specialist and coordinate the Career Fairs as well as continue coordinating internships for students, Berman said.

By Joseph Elerson Staff Writer