A new position of dean of students and assistant provost for academic standards and student conduct is being created at Michigan State University. Pending Board of Trustees approval on Oct. 26, Philip Strong, current associate dean for students and instruction in the Lyman Briggs College, will serve as interim dean while the position and its responsibilities are fully developed.
“Dr. Strong brings to this new role a deep knowledge of campus, experience in student and academic affairs and leadership as an innovator in education,” said MSU Provost June Pierce Youatt. “His knowledge of our processes and the systems that serve students will be key assets in getting the office up and running quickly.”
The new position will oversee issues related to student conduct and discipline by focusing on the programs and processes that promote safety, academic integrity, civility and respect, conflict resolution, inclusivity and social justice. Specifically, the dean of students will:
- Have oversight for current processes involving student behavior/conduct and academic integrity.
- Work closely with other units across campus involved in education around these issues.
- Work to clarify and revise relevant policies and processes.
- Be an accessible resource to students, faculty and staff.
“I am truly honored to be asked to take on this new interim role. This is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with the campus community to create a new office focused on advancing positive and respectful student behavior reflecting Spartan’s core values. The office will enact these values through caring for our students, coordinating our community efforts and broad communication throughout key constituencies,” Strong said. “By next spring we will have a well-established team of professionals with an envisioned approach to promoting sound procedures and a caring process to address behavior outside acceptable community norms.”
Reporting directly to the provost, the dean of students and assistant provost for academic standards and student conduct will work closely with the Division of Student Affairs and Services and the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. Previously these areas handled issues related to student conduct and academic integrity.
The Division of Student Affairs and Services will continue to be headed by Denise Maybank. Her title will be expanded to vice president and associate provost for student affairs and services. Going forward the division will be tasked with increasing coordination of student support services both on and off campus.
The Associated Students of Michigan State University recently passed a resolution calling for the university to create a dean of students position.
“It is great to see one of the various ASMSU legislations turn into reality,” said Katherine Rifiotis, president of ASMSU. “We hope to be consulted throughout the implementation process to guarantee the Office of the Dean of Students fulfills all that is necessary for our community.”
A national search for the inaugural position is scheduled for spring 2020.
Strong has worked in Lyman Briggs College for the last 19 years. Early in his career, Strong worked in various student-centered roles at Washington State University, Georgia Southern University and the University of Florida. A native of west Michigan, Strong has a bachelor of science from Western Michigan University, a masters from Kansas State University and a doctorate in higher, adult and lifelong education from MSU.