Ashley Benson named to newly created dean of student engagement position at Luther College Search: May 14, 2021 DECORAH, Iowa - President Jenifer K. Ward has announced the appointment of Ashley C. Benson to the newly created dean of student engagement position at Luther College. The dean of student engagement is part of an administrative reorganization designed to create an integrated, student-centric approach to all academic and co-curricular services. Reporting to newly appointed provost, Lynda A. Szymanski, Benson will join the Luther community on July 1. “I am delighted to welcome Dr. Benson to Luther College,” said Ward. “The search committee feedback, as well as the comments from our community, gave both me and Provost-Elect Lynda Szymanski confidence that we would be adding an energetic, student-focused and change-comfortable dean of student engagement to lead us in this new role within an integrated provost division. I am grateful to Search Committee Chair VP Stephen Sporer and a great committee of faculty, staff and students for their thorough and thoughtful work that led to this wonderful outcome.”