LeNorman Strong, assistant vice president for student and academic services at Cornell since 1998, has been named University of California-Berkeley's associate vice chancellor for Residential and Student Service Programs, beginning April 1.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here," said Strong. "I'm leaving colleagues and students with whom I know I have a lifelong connection."

At Cornell, Strong led and managed Campus Life, from community and student centers to residential living programs, housing facilities, dining, conference services and faculty programs in residential communities.

"LeNorman has led Campus Life at Cornell for a decade with a distinct devotion to students and dedication to his staff. He has been a valued colleague, and we all will miss him," said Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services. "However, I am thrilled, personally, that LeNorman will have this wonderful opportunity at Cal-Berkeley. They are most fortunate to have him in this important leadership position."

During his tenure, he helped develop the strategic vision and program implementation for the Residential Initiative, which made investments in undergraduate education, including the reconceptualization of residential living, the construction of six residential facilities on campus and the creation of the Carol Tatkon Center.

"I'm absolutely delighted that in nearly every aspect of the initiative we've exceeded our expectations," Strong said.

His biggest accomplishments at Cornell, he said, are the relationships he was able to build with student leaders; his work as a principal architect of Cornell's Bias Incidence Reporting Program; the Residential Initiative; development of Cornell's beverage partnership with PepsiCo USA; and helping to reshape Cornell Dining to include more diverse offerings.

Strong originally worked at Cornell from 1977 to 1987, first as director of Noyes Student Center and later simultaneously as special assistant to the vice president for campus affairs and director of Willard Straight Hall. In 1984 he became the first person of color to become president of the Association of College Unions International.

From 1987 to 1998, he was executive director for Campus Life and the assistant vice president for student and academic support services at George Washington University before returning to Cornell.

In addition to the career opportunity, Strong said he is attracted to UC-Berkeley's new priority on student development, and its program in public service and community inclusion, a subject related to his doctoral dissertation research at George Washington University. He also is eager to be closer to two daughters in Dallas and extended family in California, Strong said.