Hikaru Kozuma: Executive Director of Student Affairs	Print Issue
September 14, 2010, Volume 57, No. 03

The Division of the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL) announced that Hikaru Kozuma has been named Executive Director of Penn’s Office of Student Affairs, effective July 1.

Mr. Kozuma, who goes by Karu, came to Penn from Columbia University, where he had served for eight years in student affairs leadership, most recently as Director of Residential Programs. He is also the current National Co-Chair for the Asian Pacific Islander Knowledge Community for NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.

Originally from New York City, Mr. Kozuma attended Middlebury College, majoring in English and minoring in American history. Upon graduation, he worked for Middlebury for three years, serving as a resident director and housing director. After completing the master of education in higher education administration at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, he returned to New York to join the Columbia University student affairs staff.

“Excitement and enthusiasm do not capture how much I am looking forward to joining the Penn family,” he said. “I am humbled by the opportunity given to me to be part of this great educational institution, and I hope to learn a great deal from the students, staff, and faculty.”

Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs Dr. Ajay Nair praised Mr. Kozuma, “Karu is an exemplary student affairs professional. He was a transformative leader at Columbia University, and I am sure he will bring the same level of energy and passion to the University of Pennsylvania.”

Mr. Kozuma will provide leadership to and direction for VPUL student affairs programs and services. Mr. Kozuma will have direct oversight of the newly-reorganized Office of Student Affairs (formerly, the Office of Student Life) and will convene the work of staff members responsible for student activities and governance, pre-orientation programs, University Life leadership training programs, and campus-wide special events. He will work with other University Life directors, the Undergraduate Assembly, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, academic departments, and student affairs officers in Penn schools and centers to develop programs that support University and VPUL divisional initiatives.