Huntington University Selects Dr. Robert Pool as Vice President for Student Life and Athletics
Pool joins Forester Family after stints at Ashland University and Houghton College
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has hired Dr. Robert Pool as its new vice president for student life and athletics.
Pool currently serves as vice president for student affairs and auxiliary services and Title IX coordinator at Ashland University in Ohio. Previously, he was vice president for student life and dean of students at Houghton College in New York.
“This appointment represents an important step forward as we continue to strengthen the integration of student life, athletics and spiritual formation and to invest in a more intentional, holistic student experience at Huntington,” said Huntington University President Dr. Rob Pepper. “We believe deeply in the formation of students not only academically but also spiritually, relationally and vocationally, and the vice president for student life and athletics plays a central role in shaping that experience and fostering a campus community marked by belonging, purpose and Christ-centered care.”
Pool is excited to join the Huntington community.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Forester Family soon,” Pool said. “It was immediately clear after meeting many Huntington student leaders, faculty, coaches, staff and President Pepper that Huntington University is an authentically Christ-centered institution with a winning tradition. From the board to the bench, Huntington has a clear Christian identity with ambitious plans for the future, and that clarity and growth mindset excites me.”
During the interview and selection process, Pool’s current and former colleagues described him as a collaborative and student-centered leader known for his integrity, calm presence and thoughtful approach to leadership. They noted that he builds strong relationships, delegates effectively, balances decisive leadership with inclusive decision-making and prepares proactively for challenges. Pool is widely respected for handling high-pressure situations with clarity, fairness and prudence.
Those colleagues also referenced that Pool is deeply committed to his Christian faith and is an advocate for spiritual formation, mental health and a holistic vision of student life. He is actively engaged in campus ministry, local church leadership and mission-focused service, and is known for his passion for faith-based higher education.
“Dr. Pool’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to align our efforts across student life, athletics and the broader University in ways that support student engagement, retention and growth,” Pepper said. “We are grateful for the way God continues to provide leaders who will help us steward this mission well.”
Pool looks forward to building relationships across campus.
“I look forward to getting to know the dedicated student life, Christian formation and athletics teams soon,” Pool said. “We will spend significant time in my first 90 days visioneering and discerning together God’s designs for our collective leadership.”
Pool and his family will be relocating to Indiana. His wife, Kim, is a lifelong Hoosier, and all three of their children were born in Evansville. Pool will spend time on campus in June during his transition and will begin his role full time in July.
