Josh Novak, who has served in dean of students positions at Butler County Community College since August 2011, will become the college’s vice president for student affairs and enrollment management on Tuesday, July 9. Novak, of Slippery Rock, is shown on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township. Submitted photo

Josh Novak, a longtime dean at Butler County Community College, will become the college’s vice president for student affairs and enrollment management on Tuesday, July 9.

Novak, 39, of Slippery Rock, has served in dean of students roles in BC3’s student affairs and enrollment management division since August 2011. In that role, he has led student services and resources, such as those for academic support, access and disability, food security and mental health

Novak will succeed Case Willoughby in the cabinet-level position.

Willoughby has been BC3’s vice president for the division since July 2012. He will become vice president of student affairs in July at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Va.

Novak, a native of Portersville, was a first-generation college student who earned a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pittsburgh.

In addition to developing and managing student services and resources, Novak has been a co-chairman of the college’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. He oversees the administration of BC3’s Pioneer Pantry and the grant-funded Keystone Education Yields Success program that assists low-income students.

“Education,” Novak said, “provides extraordinary opportunities to individuals to find success in life and to make important contributions to our communities and our society. I view this work as trying to help build the kind of opportunities and supports that can help people realize their best selves.”

Megan M. Coval, BC3’s interim president, praised Novak’s work.

“I think what Josh understands is that in order for our students to be successful, we need to serve them and support them for their whole selves,” Coval said. “Not just what they are doing in the classroom, which is very important, but also in making sure that their basic needs are met. … He espouses a very holistic view of student success.”

He also is the primary adviser of the college’s chapter of an international academic honor society, served as a Title IX deputy coordinator and as a manager of the team implementing the college’s customer relationship management project.

As division leader, Novak will supervise areas that include academic counseling, admissions, advising, athletics, financial aid, registration and student life.

Novak also will oversee BC3’s additional locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson, Lawrence and Mercer counties; the Amy Wise Children’s Creative Learning Center on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township; campus police and security, and grant services; and assess and improve the effectiveness of student services.

Novak earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from what is now Pennsylvania Western University at Edinboro; and a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

He will become one of three vice presidents at BC3, joining James Hrabosky, for administration and finance; and Dr. Belinda Richardson, for academic affairs.

Novak and his wife, Kristine, have two daughters, Sophia and Olivia.

Bill Foley is coordinator of news and media content at Butler County Community College.