Jerry Price shares his ‘thoughts on a career’ after announcing retirement

Graphic by Easton Clark, Photo Editor

“The worst week of my career was the week we reopened during COVID,” said senior vice president for student affairs and Dean of Students Jerry Price.

Just like any university during the pandemic, Chapman dealt with some expected struggles. They had to comply with state regulations, and encountered mixed student and faculty reactions to reopening. Worst of all, however, was a North Morlan plumbing problem that made the residence hall uninhabitable. 

“We had 180 freshmen assigned (to North Morlan) who were moving in there in two weeks, but we couldn't move them in, so we had to reassign those 180 to whatever open spots we could.”

The solution: renting rooms in five different hotels in three different cities as quarantine spaces.

“We were here night and day trying to solve that,” said Price. “People were stressed (and) they were impatient.”

The most trying experience of Price’s time at Chapman was just one part of a long, rewarding career. And now, that career is coming to a close as Price announced he will retire after the 2025-2026 school year.

“(I) have been thinking about the right time (to retire) for a while, and this is not a spontaneous decision,” Price told The Panther. “I actually notified (then) President (Daniele) Struppa back in the summer of 2024.”

Nearly two decades ago, Price found a sense of belonging in Chapman’s small community.

“I have worked at smaller private universities and larger public universities, and I decided that I'm (the) best fit for a more selective residential environment,” said Price. “Then, when I got (to Chapman), the feel of the place — much of it dictated by then-President Jim Doti — (was) that we are going to be a family-notioned place where everybody matters, and I really resonated with that.”

Price was well familiar with the world of academia before arriving at Chapman. He served as the dean of students at Drake University as well as the associate vice president and dean of students at the University of Texas-Pan American for a combined total of 14 years.

“It's always been my style to play the long game,” Price said. “I’m never in a rush. I like to take things in and get a feel for the culture of a place; where I fit in, where the needs are (and) where I might help most.”

One area where Price thought he could improve Chapman was housing. After exploring several alternative theories, Price implemented a fenestra-based first-year housing system, where freshmen are roomed with others from their academic school.

“I started that back in 2009 because I think that at a select university, instead of just assigning students to housing, it should have a more meaningful purpose to it,” he said. “I think that students and families embrace it because it gives students the chance to connect with someone who has similar interests earlier.”

Additionally, he strived to make the Dean of Students Office open to students — and to some extent, families — when they have questions, concerns or are going through rough times.

“Being a college student isn't easy — people might say it is, but it's not — and when you have other life experiences that are complicating it further, it can be really tough,” Price said. “The most gratifying thing is when students make it through to the other side of whatever they’re going through and say, ‘Your support really made a difference in me being able to get through this.’”

And even if students don’t know his face, they likely know his name as Price’s weekly emails hit each student’s inbox and highlight important events and topics on campus — including his “thought of the week.”

“I know I have a position — from a student standpoint — that reflects Chapman’s level of commitment to them, so I try to do things intentionally to reinforce that commitment,” Price said.

Such efforts earned him a celebrity-like rapport among certain student organizations.

“When I get positive reinforcement from (orientation leaders) or others, I feel very good about that because I feel like the culture we are trying to create is taking hold,” he said.

Price hopes that the next dean of students will continue to reinforce the close-knit culture that drew him to Chapman, and he had the opportunity to build on.

“I think trying to keep this ‘we’re all family looking out for each other, but also holding each other accountable’ environment (is important),” he said. “(The next dean) might do it some way different, but if (they) are gonna come in and do something clinical, very bureaucratic, formal and structured, I think the students will not respond well to that.”

He also hopes to see efforts continue toward increasing non-structured space for students to gather and interact, similar to what the Attallah Piazza is currently used for. This initiative is something Price has been passionate about and has been working towards for nearly 15 years, and something he would be willing to informally help Chapman with post-retirement.

“I love this job, I love my work. It's demanding (and) it's stressful, but I enjoy it as much today as I ever did,” Price said.

Nonetheless, he said it was simply his time to retire and is looking forward to reading, watching old movies, golfing and seeing family who live out of state.

“I’ve had a career of helping young people figure out who they are and what they want out of life,” Price said. “That's a really, really rewarding way to spend your career, so I’m very grateful.”

So what can students expect in the final edition of “JMP thought of the week” next semester?

“Something about taking ownership in your education and seeing every opportunity as a way to learn and not just to get grades,” Price said. “You know, stuff (students) don’t want to hear.”