Will Atkins — Penn’s former associate vice provost for student success and engagement — has left the University to begin his term as Vice Provost for Campus Life and Dean of Students at Ursinus College.
Atkins began his position at Ursinus on July 21, days after announcing his departure from Penn in a LinkedIn post. He joined the Penn community in 2022 as the Associate Vice Provost for University Life — Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and also served as a lecturer at Penn’s Graduate School of Education.
In his post, Atkins expressed gratitude for the “learning, reflection, and growth” during his time at the University.
“I hope to stay connected with the many students, colleagues, and alumni I’ve met at Penn,” he continued. “You are truly remarkable and have left a lasting impact on me.”
“Well done is better than well said,” Atkins added, citing Benjamin Franklin to describe his ability to “celebrate, affirm, and amplify the great work of our students across campus.”
A request for comment was left with Atkins.
As the Associate Vice Provost for University Life — Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Atkins was responsible for overseeing the University’s cultural resource centers and engaging with many of the student organizations across campus.
In March, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that Atkins was one of more than a dozen Penn staff members formerly associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion whose titles have changed since the start of President and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump's second term.
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Prior to his tenure at Penn, Atkins served as the University of Florida at Gainesville’s Assistant Vice President for Student Life.
Over the summer, many other members of Penn’s faculty and staff announced their departures from the University. 1993 Penn graduate and Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein left Penn after more than 20 years to serve as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern University. 1985 Wharton graduate and Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli also departed the University, taking a position as the chief financial officer at Stanford University.
“I’m here and cheering you on,” Atkins concluded his post. “Hurrah for the Red and the Blue!”
