Portersville Native Selected As New BC3 Vice President

Dr. Josh Novak, a longtime dean at Butler County Community College who has led student services and resources such as those for academic support, access and disability, food security and mental health, will become the college’s vice president for student affairs and enrollment management July 9.

Novak, 39, of Slippery Rock, has served in progressive dean of students roles in BC3’s student affairs and enrollment management division since August 2011, and will succeed Dr. Case Willoughby in the Cabinet-level position.

Willoughby has been BC3’s vice president for the division since his hiring in July 2012 at BC3. 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-chair of the college’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, oversees the administration of BC3’s Pioneer Pantry and the grant-funded Keystone Education Yields Success program that assists low-income students.

“Help people realize their best selves”

“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.

“I have always been passionate about working in higher education, working directly to support students and their success. I have found it particularly rewarding to do that work at a place like BC3 where we support students from such a variety of backgrounds and with such diverse stories. It’s inspiring to be able to see them change their lives through this experience.”

Megan M. Coval is BC3’s interim president.

“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.”

Novak, Coval said, “is very strategic-minded and forward-thinking. In this new role, he will have an opportunity to expand his work into the enrollment space.”

He is also 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.

To supervise BC3’s five additional locations

He will also 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, provost and for academic affairs. Novak will join Hrabosky, Richardson and other executives on the college’s Cabinet.

Novak and his wife, Kristine, are the parents of daughters Sophia and Olivia.