After 37 years of working for the University Health Services, Jeanne Carpenter will retire to spend more time with friends and family, she said.

The Division of Student Affairs announced Thursday the University Health Services Associate Vice President and Director Jeanne Carpenter will retire Sept. 1. Chris Brownson, director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center, will take her position as associate vice president of student affairs and look for a new director of the center.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with dedicated, professional staff who are really looking out for the best interest of the students,” Carpenter said. “From the other side, I have the opportunity to interact with student leaders and Student Health Advisory Committee members and have had a wonderful working relationship with so many students.”

Carpenter praised Chris Brownson as a good choice to replace her as associate vice president of student affairs who also oversees the Counseling and Mental Health Center, the Sanger Learning and Career Center and University Health Services.

“He is an excellent speaker and communicator,” she said. “He has had experience working in all four areas that will be in his portfolio and he’s well respected by the staff of each of his units.”

Juan Gonzalez, vice president of student affairs, said Carpenter was a true professional and a joy to work with.

“She was held in the absolute highest regard with absolute fondness,” Gonzalez said. “She’s a kind person. She has great people skills, always treated people with dignity and respect.”

Gonzalez praised Carpenter’s work as director of University Health Services, a position she has held since 1997.

“She helped implement a modern electronic records system,” he said. “Her health center is regarded as one of the most well-run university health centers in the nation.”

Brownson said he is sad to see Carpenter retire.

“She has been an excellent supervisor and mentor, and a friend,” he said in an email. “She always makes decisions based on what is in the best interest of students on our campus.”

Stephanie Manjudano, Student Health Advisory Committee officer liaison, said she was impressed with the interactions Carpenter had with students at committee meetings last year.

“She wanted to know what we thought about University Health Services, what our opinions were, what our concerns, what our opinions about every aspect of Health Services was,” she said. “She was also very personable and we feel like she really tried to get to know students.”

Printed on 07/18/2011 as: Administrator of UHS to retire, coworker to take over position