Kyle Pendleton has been working with fraternity and sorority students for over 12 years and has been in his role of Assistant Dean of Students at Purdue University since July.  He was initiated as a freshman into the Alpha Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Phi at The Ohio State University.  After receiving his degree in journalism, Kyle traveled as a leadership consultant for his national organization.  He received his M.Ed. in Student Personnel Administration from the University of South Carolina and has held positions at San Diego State University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University.  His professional activities include: Lead Facilitator for LeaderShape, participating in numerous UIFI and IMPACT sessions, facilitator for the Beta Theta Pi Institute for Men of Principle, serving on the Northeast Greek Leadership Association Executive Board, and serving for three years as the Dean of the Delta Sigma Phi Leadership Aca demy.  Kyle currently serves as the 2007 President of the Association of Fraternity Advisors.

Personally, Kyle is a huge college sports fan (Boiler Up! & Go Buckeyes!), plays volleyball, and depending on the month, is a runner.  He ran the 2004 Chicago Marathon and immediately decided to retire from that distance.

Education: B.A. in Journalism, Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio; M.Ed. in Student Personnel Administration, University of South Carolina - Columbia, South Carolina

 

Diane Blackwelder began her duties as Assistant Dean of Students on September 9, 2004. As a member of the Student Acitivities and Organizations staff, her primary responsibilities are advising the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, as well as being Purdue's liaison to the National Panhellenic Conference. Diane is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and has served as a volunteer on the national, regional and local level for many years. She was elected for two terms on the National Council/Board of Directors for Alpha Chi Omega, plus served as President of the Foundation for 4 years. Diane also served as a member of the National Panhellenic Conference Delegation from 1994-2004; most recently serving as Indiana Area Advisor for the College Panhellenics campuses. She volunteers for local community agencies, including the Tippecanoe Arts Federation Board, the YWCA Foundation, and Dean's Advisory Council for the Purdue School of Education. Before moving to Purdue in 2001, Diane held positions at Iowa State University and the Youth & Shelter Services Foundation in Ames, Iowa. For 18 years Diane was an elementary classroom teacher in Kansas. She is a member of Order of Omega.

Education: B.A. in Elementary Education, Baker University - Baldwin City, KS; M.S. in Elementary Education, University of Missouri - Kansas City.
 

Jason Casares, assistant dean of students, serves as a full-time administrator in the Office of the Dean of Students. He has specific advising responsibilities for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Multicultural Greek Council, and the Purdue Cooperative Council, in addition to a host of generalist duties related to student organization advising and programming.

Jason comes to Purdue from Texas Tech University where he served as an assistant area coordinator in housing and residence life.  At Ball State University, Jason served as the assistant director of the Multicultural Center.  Jason has many volunteer experiences including Youth Opportunity Center (Muncie), A Better Way - Domestic Violence Advocate, Day of Dialogue (alcohol awareness), and Boys and Girls Club.  As an undergraduate, Jason became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and served on student government, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and as the president of the Latino Student Union.

Education: B.S. in Criminal Justice and Society, Ball State University; M.A. in Sociology, and M.A. in Student Affairs Administration, Ball State University.

Jason has been an assistant dean since September 27, 2004.