Dean Carry to leave for Auburn

Co-workers were excited when he returned, but Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Ainsley Carry is leaving Temple again.

This time, Carry will be leaving for Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., on May 22. He left Temple for the first time in July 2007 when he became assistant vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida, his alma mater. He returned in Fall 2007 after he said he missed working with students.

Carry was among three finalists for the position of vice president for student affairs at Auburn. Despite the fact that the two other candidates were sitting university vice presidents, he managed to earn the position.

“My portfolio [at Temple], the areas of my responsibility, the things that I was charged with doing, was given to me by Dr. Theresa Powell,” Carry said. “I managed to beat out two sitting vice presidents because of how Dr. Powell empowered me, gave me responsibilities and entrusted me to do the right things.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Theresa Powell first met Carry in 2004. Powell said her first impression of Carry was “an impression he undoubtedly has made upon others.”

“He has a manner of complete professionalism while maintaining an approachable, easygoing demeanor,” Powell said. “I immediately identified with his passion for his career and for students. I could see that Ainsley was a deliberate individual, which he truly is.

“He makes choices carefully and thoughtfully,” she said. “And he does so with a sincere passion for his profession and the students he serves.”

Powell’s confidence in Carry was important, as it helped him pursue the vice president position at Auburn University.

“It’s because of her that I came to Temple, and it’s because of her that I have the skill set to be a vice president and only because of her,” Carry said. “She has been the most influential person in my career. I can’t put a price tag on what I’ve learned under her guidance and leadership.”

While Powell’s influence played a great role in Carry’s present and future career, Carry’s dedication to the Temple students is what got him his new job.

Carry has worked with and advised several departments within the Division of Student Affairs, including Campus Recreation Services, Student Activities, student code of conduct, student media and Greek life.

He is involved in coordinating activities for Welcome Week and convocation, as well as responding to student crises and emergencies.

Carry said he is most proud of his work with student leadership development. When he began working at Temple, Carry was asked by Powell to lead an initiative to build a university-wide leadership development program.

“The first year, we may have had about 300 to 400 students participate, and this year more than 1,200 students participated in our leadership development program,” Carry said.

LeaderShape Institute, a six-day leadership development institute for college students, is among the programs Carry helped develop.

The program, Carry said, is a “very rigorous leadership development experience” that allows students to come back with their lives changed. The past four student body presidents have gone through LeaderShape Institute, including newly elected Temple Student Government President Kylie Patterson.

“He is extremely supporting of student organizations on this campus, and his leaving is a great loss,” said Deborah Hinchey, a senior political science and women’s studies major.

Director of Student Affairs Gina D’Annunzio said she will miss the way Carry encouraged students to take the reins.

“Dean Carry has worked consistently on fostering leaders at Temple,” she said. “He truly believes that students must be at the forefront of our work and empowers students to pursue their visions.” 

“[Carry] is really great at seeing the big picture and helping everyone get the details right. He is really fun to work with and talk to, and Auburn is very lucky. Our loss is their gain, that’s for sure,” said Director of Student Center Operations Jason Levy.

“The Temple student is a special student – entrepreneurial, hard-working, will get here early, stay late-type of student who is socially connected and politically involved,” Carry said.

Joshua Fernandez can be reached at josh@temple.edu.