Michael Gilbert said he will deeply miss watching the Boston Red Sox every night on local television when he leaves his home in Massachusetts to come to State College.

Gilbert has spent the last 10 years working at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. But on Aug. 1, he will begin as the new assistant vice president for Campus Student Services.

A Vermont native, Gilbert was not quite sure what he wanted to in life when he attended the University of Vermont. There, he earned a degree in political science and went to Michigan State University for his Ph.D. in university administration.

After earning his master's degree in education specializing in college student personnel administration, Gilbert said he found his way to Massachusetts, where until a month ago, he was in charge of a variety of administrative activities.

"I enjoyed my time at University of Massachusetts ... a person gets fairly dug in when they are in the same place for 10 years," Gilbert said.

Jo-Anne Vanin, now the University of Massachusetts dean of students and Gilbert's close colleague, said she worked at Penn State 15 years ago as the assistant dean for academic assistance programs. She said Gilbert would be a good match at the university.

Vicky Triponey, assistant vice president for student affairs, said student affairs needs a good senior leader, and Gilbert would provide that. She added that, of the 45 applicants for the job, she saw the most potential in Gilbert.

"He has a fresh perspective and would be a phenomenal addition to our staff," she said.

As housing director, Gilbert oversaw a full-time staff of 330 people, 41 buildings and 11,000 students and managed a very large program, Vanin said.

"He enhanced the quality of buildings," she said. "He laid the groundwork for new housing [at the University of Massachusetts] for the first time in 30 years."

Vanin said she would miss Gilbert's sense of humor most because to appreciate his sense of humor, a person would have to be thinking and "on their toes."

She added that because Gilbert is an avid runner and loves to play golf, he would probably look for tracks and golf courses when he came to Penn State.

Gail Hurley, assistant vice president for housing and residence life and a member of the committee that interviewed applicants, said Gilbert fit the profile of what a person in the position should be.

"We were looking for someone [who was] good at multi-tasking, with great communication and facilitation skills," Hurley said.

Gilbert said he had never been to State College before the interview, but he always heard positive things from friends who have worked or attended school at Penn State, and now he can see why.

"I've worked at very good schools and pretty campuses ... Penn State is right up there with them," Gilbert said.

Gilbert said he accepted the job because he is pleased to join a campus with such a tremendous reputation.

"I was impressed with the quality of the student affairs staff at the university," Gilbert said. "By joining the staff at Penn State, I feel I'm surrounding myself with fun, talented and dynamic people."