Steven D. Fenster.
HPU is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven D. Fenster, Ph.D., as its first Vice Provost of Student Success. Fenster has been selected to fill this new role following a thorough evaluation process. The search committee sought a candidate who exemplifies collaboration, inclusivity, and empathy, recognizing the paramount importance of providing leadership, advocacy, and coordination for academic and non-academic initiatives that contribute to student success across the University.
“I am very excited and honored to serve in this new role. The success of our students requires a combination of academic, community, and individualized support,” Fenster said. “I am looking forward to working with the HPU ‘ohana to help our students achieve success in their careers and personal lives.”
In his new role Fenster will collaborate closely with the University's center for academic success, student life, library, and learning commons teams. Together, they will ensure that HPU students receive the necessary resources to thrive academically. The primary objectives will be to offer comprehensive support that encompasses academic and mental health services, access to healthcare, and the cultivation of a sense of belonging within the HPU campus community.
Fenster’s experience and expertise will play a key role in placing students at the center of HPU's continued success. His dedication to student achievement and social mobility is exemplified by his commitment to empowering students to pursue their passions and define their own career paths.
He joins HPU from his previous position as a professor of biology and interim dean of the School of Science and Health at Fort Lewis College in Colorado. He has served as a program director for the NIH U-RISE program and the Howard Hughes Inclusive Excellence Award 3 at Fort Lewis College, where he has been instrumental in improving the success and retention rates of undergraduate students from underrepresented communities.
Fenster holds a Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a B.S. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. With nearly 30 years of experience in academia, including roles as a faculty member, interim dean, associate dean, and research associate, Fenster possesses a deep understanding of both the classroom and administrative settings.
