By Adam Hinton
Al Herring sits down with The Louisville Cardinal
When Dr. Brigid Pregliasco resigned from her position as Assistant Vice President of Student Life last summer, the university was pressed to fill the interim vacancy in the position until a search for a permanent replacement could be conducted in January. That position was assigned to Mr. Al Herring, the Executive Director of Career Counseling and Diversity at the U of L Counseling Center.
On top of his normal duties at the Counseling Center, where he oversees programs such as the annual alcohol awareness week, Herring is now pressed with completing the duties of the Assistant Vice President of Student Life.
“This really is a very important role,” said Herring, with the soft spoken sincerity those who know him are so accustomed to. “It really allows you the opportunity to talk so students and listen to what they have to say.” And indeed, just before this interview Herring could have been seen in front of the SAC chatting with a group of students.
Herring also said that this role was about “understanding what students want and implementing improvements accordingly, facilitating a good relationship between the SGA and the student body, and ensuring effective housing implementation.”
Herring’s enthusiasm for is new role is both obvious and contagious.
When asked of his goals while in office, Herring replied: “My agenda here is really about building community.”
Much on the same note as the diversity forums that he sponsored last year through the Counseling Center, Herring wants to see “broader communication on important issues.” He also said he wanted “to see students talking openly and honestly about tough issues.”
Herring wants to see improved relations among the minority groups on campus as well. He was involved in the planning of the mandatory diversity seminar for freshman at orientation this year and claims that he has had very positive feedback from the students.
When asked if he planned to pursue the position in January, Herring laughed heartily, put on his best poker face, and responded with the following objective answer: “I am happy to serve in this role, and I will continue to serve in this role for as long as the university will have me.”
A U o f L alumnus, he graduated in 1979 with a bachelorís degree in psychology. Following this Herring received his masterís degree in counseling at St. Francis in Indiana, and has also completed doctoral work at Purdue University.
