DSU Names Dr. Stacy Downing as New VP of Student Affairs

Delaware State University has named Dr. Stacy Downing as its new vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Prior to this appointment Dr. Downing served as DSU’s associate vice president of Student Affairs since August 2013. With this promotion to vice president, Dr. Downing will be part of the DSU president’s senior administrative council and will oversee the following departments and offices: Residential Education and Student Life, Career Services, Student Leadership and Activities, Public Safety, Judicial Affairs, the MLK Jr. Student Center, Campus Events Planning, the Wellness and Recreation Center, Health Services, Counseling, and Enrollment Management.

“We have observed the effective work of Dr. Downing in her capacity as associate vice president and her contributions to the Division of Student Affairs. Her demonstration of enthusiasm for the students she serves has been impressive,” said DSU President Harry L. Williams. “She has 15 years of higher education experience – largely in the area of student affairs – and we look forward to the leadership she will provide as the vice president of that division.”

Prior to her arrival to DSU in 2013, Dr. Downing served as the vice president of Student Affairs for Philander Smith College from 2011-2013, as director of Student Activities and Leadership Development at the University of Cincinnati from 2006-2011 as well as other student affairs-related director and program director posts from 1999-2006 at that institution. She also served as an adjunct instructor for freshmen seminar-type courses and graduate Educational Leadership courses during her tenures at both Philander and UC.

Dr. Downing has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati (in Ohio), a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and an Ed.D. in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.

“I am excited about this opportunity to continue to move the division forward and leverage the relationship that I have with the DSU community,” Dr. Downing said. “It’s an exhilarating time to be at DSU and I am happy to be a part of this movement.”

The VP for Student Affairs Search Committee was chaired by Carolyn Curry, vice president for Institutional Advancement and chief-of-staff.

Joining her on the committee were: Marsha Horton, dean of the College of Education, Health and Public Policy; Jan Blade, Faculty Senate chair; Edward Doxen, president of the Student Government Association; Wes Perkins, DSU Board of Trustees member and chair of its Student Affairs Committee; Erin Hill, assistant vice president of Enrollment Management; Phillip Holmes, director of Housing and Residential Education; Jordin Williams, director of the Wellness and Recreation Center; Michelle Martin, associate vice president for Finance; and Beverly Brown, Human Resources generalist.

Finalists were interviewed on campus by groups of students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni.