Personnel Changes Ahead for the President’s Office

There will be a transition of two important and valued colleagues in the President’s Office over the next few months.

After more than 16 years of service to Western, Barbara Sandoval will be retiring from her position as Senior Executive Assistant to the President on April 15, and Chief of Staff to the President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Paul Dunn will move on to a new role as an instructor in the Honors College at the end of the current academic year after serving the President’s Office since 2010.

“Barbara and Paul have provided steady leadership in the President’s Office and supported our Trustees in their work with superb attention to detail and with respect and compassion for every person who comes to this office,” said President Sabah Randhawa. “I am particularly grateful for how they have helped Uzma and me find our way at Western. Both Paul and Barbara possess an incredibly strong sense of service to others that will be hard to replace.”

Barbara’s ability to perform myriad responsibilities in the President’s Office while setting a tone for a service orientation led to her receiving the President’s Exceptional Effort Award in 2017. She has served on the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE) board of directors since 2016, including chair of the board, chair of the conference planning committee, and chair of the communications committee. Her work with NAPAHE has helped inform her work at Western with practices at other institutions.

“I have enjoyed my time in the President’s Office, especially working with my President and Provost Office colleagues, partners across campus, and our wonderful team of senior administrative assistants,” Sandoval said. "I am grateful to have worked under the leadership of Presidents Randhawa, Shepard, and Morse.”

Paul’s dual role as the Chief of Staff to the President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees has continuously evolved over the past few years. As Chief of Staff, Paul has assisted the President in the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan and in facilitating communications with the university community on important issues. In his other role, Paul has worked with the Board of Trustees on developing long-term plans and in the execution of the Board meetings. He has also served on several committees and task forces, including serving as the chair of the Legacy Review Task Force in 2020-21.

“I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to work with and learn from outstanding administrative leaders and colleagues in the President’s and Provost’s Offices,” Dunn said. “I have gained a deep appreciation for the dedication and skill it takes in so many areas to make the University function well, how committed our faculty are to teaching and serving students, and how much our student leaders care about making Western more accessible and equitable for all. Working with the Board of Trustees has also been an education in leadership and strategic thinking. I am especially grateful to have served under President Randhawa and President Shepherd, and for all I have learned from their leadership and example.”

A celebration of Barbara’s service to the University is scheduled for Thursday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Solarium in Old Main 590. A similar event will be planned to thank Paul for his service prior to the end of the academic year.

Plans are underway for replacing these positions and will be shared with the campus community in the coming weeks.

“It has been an honor to work with Barbara and Paul during my nine years as Provost,” said Brent Carbajal. “I will always recall fondly the 7:15 a.m. meetings with Barbara to troubleshoot the day and to generally accomplish necessary project management. Her attention to detail, care, and ability to manage a million things at once will be missed. Paul has been nothing short of an administrative decathlete, someone as comfortable managing complicated task forces as he is providing the Cabinet gems of wisdom culled from his academic training. I thank both Barbara and Paul for their friendship and support, and wish them well in their future endeavors.”