HU Hires Dr. Robert Pool as Vice President for Student Life and Athletics

I am pleased to share that Dr. Robert Pool has accepted our offer to serve Huntington University as vice president for student life and athletics. Dr. Pool currently serves as the vice president for student affairs & auxiliary services and Title IX coordinator at Ashland University (OH). Prior to this appointment, he served as vice president for student life and dean of students at Houghton College (NY). He brings a depth of experience in Christ-centered student development, campus engagement, and athletics leadership that aligns well with our mission, priorities, and campus needs. Dr. Pool will spend some time with us in June as he transitions, and he will join us full time in July.

This appointment represents an important step forward as we continue to strengthen the integration of student life, athletics, and spiritual formation and to invest in a more intentional, holistic student experience at Huntington. We believe deeply in the formation of students not only academically, but spiritually, relationally, and vocationally, and the vice president for student life and athletics plays a central role in shaping that experience and fostering a campus community marked by belonging, purpose, and Christ-centered care.

Dr. Pool’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to align our efforts across student life, athletics, and the broader University in ways that support student engagement, retention, and growth, and we are grateful for the way God continues to provide leaders who will help us steward this mission well.

Thank you to all who contributed to this process. Your insight, prayer, and engagement have been deeply valued, and I am grateful for the shared commitment across our campus to this important work. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Pool and his family to the Huntington community and to the contributions he will make in the months and years ahead. Additional communication, including a formal campus announcement and press release, will be shared soon.

— Dr. Rob Pepper