Cottey College Vice President Announces Retirement

After 30 years of service to Cottey College, Dr. Mari Anne Phillips, vice president for student life, will retire her position effective June 30, 2019.

Dr. Phillips graduated from Cottey in 1976 and is also a proud Cottey Mom of two graduates: Katie, Class of 2000, and Lindsay, Class of 2002. Dr. Phillips started her career in counseling. After 12 years in the field, she joined Cottey as coordinator of counseling. She was promoted to the position of dean of student life in 1993 and later to vice president for student life. In 2001, she earned her doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

In addition to her duties as vice president, Dr. Phillips sponsored the student government association for 26 years; she has served as co-leader of Cottey’s International Experience since the first trip in 2000; she helped grow the athletic program from three sports to six, and she helped lead Cottey to acceptance into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

“Dr. Phillips has been a vital part of the Cottey administration,” said Dr. Jann Weitzel, president of Cottey College. “Her concern for students is obvious in everything that she does, and she has served as a strong leader for the staff in the Office of Student Life.”

“First and foremost, I hope that I have been a helper of both students and of my colleagues, and that as a team, we have made a positive difference in the lives of students and in each other” said Dr. Phillips. “My colleagues in Student Life and in Athletics have made my career truly enjoyable.”

Dr. Weitzel anticipates announcing Cottey’s next vice president for student life later this month.