Christine Robinson and Dr. Richard Zinser beginning new positions

Christine (Chris) Robinson has been named the new Director of Admissions and Advising in the College of Education and Human Development beginning Monday, January 23. Currently, Robinson is the assistant director for WMU’s Haworth College of Business (HCOB). In her role as assistant director, Robinson managed the Phoenix Program, a support program for at-risk pre-business and business students, which received the WMU Assessment Steering Committee award for Outstanding Achievement in Assessment of Student Learning, 2013-2014, and won first place in the Mid-American Business Dean’s Association (MABDA) Innovation in Business Education Award Program, 2014.

Prior to coming to Western, she advised at Davenport University where she is currently an adjunct instructor. Robinson has held various positions in the Kalamazoo community, including at-risk interventionist for Portage Public Schools, teen parent case manager for Catholic Family Services, early interventionist and parent educator for Upjohn Community Healing Center and foster care case worker for Bethany Christian Services.

Robinson will replace Laura Ciccantell, who is the new Director of Teacher Certification in the College of Education and Human Development.

Dr. Richard Zinser, is the new interim Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Dr. Zinser has been with the department for over 18 years, teaching courses and conducting research in Career and Technical Education.  One of his interests is international education, and he is currently setting up a study abroad course in Germany.  Prior to coming to WMU Rick taught a high school vocational program.  Before that he had a 15-year career in business/industry in training and human resources.

Dr. Zinser is replacing Dr. Gary Bischof, who has been named the new Dean of the Lee Honors College at WMU.