After 11 years of distinguished service to the University of Miami, Dr. Andrew Wiemer, senior director of the William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development, has decided to return to his home state of Nebraska. He will be taking some time to be with family and friends while working towards his next steps in his career. His last day with us will be January 4, 2023.
Andrew led the Butler Center staff and students as they planned innovative leadership development initiatives including IMPACT Weekend, Leadership UMiami, and Canes Leadership Scholars Program. His creativity and drive to improve the student experience for all is remarkable.
Anyone who knows Andrew, knows his passion for civic engagement. He was instrumental in creating programs that increased voter engagement among students at UM. As a result of his leadership and work to bring back and reenergize Get Out the Vote, UM has consistently ranked as one of the most engaged campuses in the ACC and has been designated as a Voter Friendly Campus for the past five years by NASPA. As part of the University’s efforts to encourage community responsibility and safety, Andrew’s office organized, trained, and supervised the Public Health Ambassador Program.
Passionate about advocacy for the LGBTQ community, Andrew co-created the LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Network in 2013 and served as the advisor to SpectrUM, the undergraduate LGBTQ student organization from 2012-2016. He was also part of the committee that developed a white paper that eventually resulted in the creation of the LGBTQ Student Center. Andrew has also mentored a number of LGBTQ students throughout his service to our community.
One of Andrew’s top motivations in our field is the development of students from the start of their academic career. He has served as an instructor for UDialogue, Civic Scholars, and First Year Directions courses. Additionally, he has been an adjunct faculty member at Miami Dade College teaching student life skills courses for students focused on earning their associates in arts degree since 2019.
It is for these efforts and others that Andrew received both the Division’s Patricia A. Whitely Student Affairs Enrichment Award in 2019 and the LGBTQ Student Center’s Golden Pin Award in 2022.
Andrew is well known for his fun-loving attitude. He has always brought an atmosphere of enjoyment and care to every initiative he has led. Andrew has been an integral part of the Student Life and the Division of Student Affairs. During his time at UM he created innovative programs and services that fostered civic and community engagement, supported student leadership, and enhanced campus life.
Andrew recently completed his Ph.D. in education and human resource studies with a specialization in higher education leadership from Colorado State University in July. His dissertation focused on fostering civic-mindedness in undergraduate students. Prior to arriving at the U, Andrew earned a master of science in college student personnel services and administration from University of Central Arkansas and a bachelor of arts in business administration from Doane University in Nebraska.
We will celebrate Andrew’s many contributions to the University community before the end of the semester. In the meantime, please join me in thanking him for his dedication to students and his impactful service to our Miami Hurricanes community. We are excited for Andrew’s next adventure and wish him well on his journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patricia A. Whitely
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Renee Dickens Callan
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
