Vice Provost for Student Life Charles Carlson announced that he will retire at the end of the school year in a campus-wide email that went out Nov. 4.

It was a tough decision for Carlson to make.

“Walking away has been difficult,” he said. “It has not been an easy decision. It is hard to walk away from the students.”

Carlson oversees nine different departments: Student Development, Safety and Security, Residential Life, Off-Campus Housing and Commuter Services, Student Success, Mission and Ministry, the Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development, the Iona College Counseling Center and Health Services.

Carlson, who has worked at Iona for nearly 20 years, is also an alumnus of Iona. He graduated in 1971. He is married and has three sons, all of whom attended Iona.

Carlson has enjoyed his time at Iona, both as a student and faculty member.

“It has been an honor,” Carlson said.

Prior to serving as Vice Provost for Student Life, he served as Director of Safety and Security, Director of Student Development and Associate Vice Provost for Student Development. He has been in his current position for 13 years.

Carlson explained that there are similarities of all these positions he has held.

“You can expect something different every day,” Carlson said.

Carlson joined the Iona staff in 1996. Before coming to Iona, he served in the New Rochelle Police Department for 22 years. He was a patrolman, detective, sergeant and lieutenant.

“Charlie has had a longstanding career of service to Iona College and the greater New Rochelle community,” Vice Provost for Student Development Liz Olivieri-Lenahan said. “Charlie has served as a mentor to countless students and employees, imparting his wisdom through both his actions and words. We will certainly miss his leadership at Iona.”

Carlson’s retirement will greatly impact the Iona community.

“Charlie’s retirement will hit the Iona community very hard,” Assistant Director of Student Development Kristin Yanniello said. “He has had such a positive influence on the campus and has guided the College through many amazing times.”

The search for Carlson’s replacement has begun.

Human Resources, along with Carlson, will be seeking input from students about what kind of person they would like to see as the next Vice Provost for Student Life, according to Chief of Staff and Board Secretary Mary Ellen Callaghan.

Human Resources is putting together a representative search committee, which will include students, faculty and staff.

“There are many people that are qualified here at Iona,” Carlson said. “I hope they be interested in the position.”

President Dr. Joseph E. Nyre expressed his admiration for Carlson.

“Charlie Carlson has given Iona College a great gift in his service of 20 years,” Nyre said. “While we wish him well, his dedication and leadership are unparalleled and will be tremendously missed. We wish him and his wife many happy years in retirement.”

In retirement, Carlson looks forward to moving to Florida with his wife, who also just retired.

Carlson plans on coming back to Iona to watch the basketball games when he can.

“Time goes by fast when you are having fun,” Carlson said.