This past August, Ed Kovacs, former Associate Director of the Carl Hansen Student Center, was promoted to Director of the Student Center and Student Leadership Development after the leave of former director Kerstin Soderlund in July.

“I have been very fortunate in working here at Quinnipiac University, not only to have gotten the experience and opportunity to work in different capacities in the department but also to work collaboratively with the student body,” Kovacs said.

In July 2000, Kovacs was hired as the Assistant Director of the Student Center and Student Leadership Development.

His job then was primarily advising sororities, fraternities, student media groups and the sophomore and junior cabinets of the Student Government Association. Many would say from the beginning Kovacs has aspired to be the Director.

In July 2002, Kovacs’ responsibilities shifted to programming.

He became the guiding force behind Quinnipiac University Student Programming Board (SPB). As well, he began advising QUAD, Quinnipiac University After Dark, and the freshman class cabinet of the Student Government Association.

Mark Antonucci, Vice President of Student Concerns of the Student Government Association, junior, said he was fortunate enough to meet Kovacs freshman year when he was elected into the freshman class cabinet.

“He was very welcoming and is the epitome of a hands-on advisor who wants you to succeed,” Antonucci said.

“He puts the extra effort in to ensure the success of the student body in all of their endeavors.”

In 2003, Kovacs was promoted to an Associate Director of the Student Center and Student Leadership Development.

He maintained his previous responsibilities as when he was Assistant Director; however, he began working more directly with Soderlund, the Director, at the time.

As Associate Director, Kovacs was able to work more closely with student development.

He often acted in place of Soderlund at student affairs and directors meetings when she was unavailable.

Kovacs has worked under two different directors since he began his tenure here at Quinnipiac and feels this will definitely work to his advantage. Kovacs first worked for Michael Miller and then Soderlund, both with different styles of leadership.

“I’m hopefully going to take the strengths and weaknesses of each of my former directors and form my own identity as Director of the Carl Hansen Student Center and Student Leadership Development,” Kovacs said.

Anthony Vindigni, Concert Chair for the Student Programming Board, junior, feels that Soderlund did a phenomenal job when working for Quinnipiac University but has confidence in Kovacs and his new position.

“Ed can fill the shoes of the position and make it more effective,” Vindigni said. “I think we have great things to expect from him this year.”

Kovacs is already delving into the job. He plans on developing better relations with the Quinnipiac commuter population

“I want to let the commuter populations know that they are important here on campus, since our entire senior class is commuters,” Kovacs said.

“I hope to explore new ways to get them more involved and more connected with their University.”

Kovacs will continue to be in communication with the student organization leaders and plans on finding ways to improve those communication grounds as well, as the organizational leadership on the campus is vital.

One of his most important goals as director is to be able to continue with the programming that is offered to the students.

This programming, in the past has been able to provide educational and social opportunities for students on campus on Friday and Saturday evenings, with the intention of keeping the student population on campus and to increase peer relations. Kovacs hopes to continue this opportunity for students in the future.

However, for the time being, Kovacs will be focusing on getting comfortable and acclimated with his new job as director.

“I am trying to make this transition as seamless as possible,” Kovacs said.

In addition to his new responsibilities, Kovacs will continue to advise and support SPB, QUAD and the freshman class cabinet until someone is found to fill the position of Assistant Director.

“Ultimately, it will be a huge change for the Student Programming Board once someone new is hired to advise us, as [Ed] Kovacs has been a major role in our functioning for as long as the present membership has known,” Vindigni said.

“It will just be someone new to get used to.”

Nevertheless, he is confident that the executive board that is in place is extremely zealous and is capable of making the transition a smooth one.

“Ultimately, I look forward to leading our department. I look forward to working with students on projects and leadership development initiatives,” Kovacs said.

“I look forward to continuing this work and the foundation put in place by my predecessors.”