Newcomb director eager to build on students’ learning experience

Bill Ashby, who took his post as director of Newcomb Hall a month ago, likes to think he’s offering students another avenue to get a well-rounded college education.

One of the attractions that lured this Southern Californian east — besides the history and reputation of U.Va. — was the emphasis on student self-governance here. Formerly the director of business services at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo for six years, Ashby said he enjoys direct, daily interaction with students and student leaders.

Part of his job involves advising the many student groups housed in Newcomb, as well as student employees. The skills students can learn as they lead or participate in their organizations complement and enhance the learning experience, he said. He sees his role as going hand-in-hand with that of academic faculty and their teaching.

Along with running Newcomb Hall, Ashby will be instrumental in helping plan U.Va.’s future student center, having worked on similar construction projects at Cal Poly. Students need more informal, multi-use gathering space, and groups need larger areas for activities, such as performances, he said. The many a cappella groups at U.Va. don’t have enough rehearsal rooms, for instance.

With the project in the beginning phase, the next steps will be doing a feasibility study and deciding whether to build an addition or a separate building, said Ashby, who added that he’s looking forward to getting student input.

Student Council conducted research that found that the amount of space available to students has not kept pace with the increase in the number of students on Grounds. Last year, the council created a special committee to work on a new student center initiative.

— Anne Bromley