Robert Fox, the Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Services, is retiring on Tuesday, March 31 after 29 years at Fresno City College.
Fox supervises Counseling, Financial Aid, Health Services, Student Government amongst other student related programs and services. Additionally he was in charge of coordinating commencement, scholarship awards, and several other campus events.
Among his innovations on campus are annual recognitions such as the Dean’s List and commemorating FCC students who have died in the past year.
Fox said in an earlier interview that his role during graduation is one of his most important as Dean of Students at FCC. Tony Cantu, VP for Academic Affairs said of Fox’s service to the students, “If you’ve ever been to an FCC graduation ceremony, that’s Robert right there.”
Cantu praised the work and dedication Fox put into facilitating and recognizing student accomplishments throughout his time at FCC.
When the commencement ceremonies begin this May, students and staff will notice his absence; anyone who has ever been to a Fresno City College graduation would remember the distinct somber tone of Robert fox.
His focus on recognizing student accomplishment comes across clearly in the story of why Fox started the Dean’s List. Any student who achieves a 3.0 or higher in all classes for a semester receives a personalized letter signed by Fox.
“People thought it was crazy. Previously, they got a generic letter that said ‘Dear student’. I printed out letters with the students name and hand signed each one. They told me to get a stamp. It only takes a second to sign each one. If the school doesn’t care enough to do that, what kind of message does that send?” Fox holds a bachelor’s in philosophy and a master’s in Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Fox worked at Parsons College in Iowa from 1970-1972, Minnesota Community College from 1972-1977 and Laney College in Oakland from 1977-1980. Fox has been with FCC since the Fall semester of 1980.
“He has a long history here, is very well respected, and he will be missed,” said FCC president Cynthia Azari. “What I’m going to miss most about him is that he’s the go-to guy for student’s needs,” says Cantu. “He always looked for solutions.”
