became Gonzaga's Vice President for Student Development in July of 2013, with a thirty year record of successful professional experience. She oversees most non-academic student programs and services, including housing and residence life, judicial affairs and student conduct, parent relations, student activities, clubs and organizations, student publications, career center, counseling, health and wellness, the Crosby Student Center, the Center for Community Action and Service Learning, the Unity Multicultural Education Center, as well as, campus public safety and security.

Elena (Lane) M. Bove, Ed.D., began her career as senior vice president for Student Affairs at Loyola Marymount University in 1987. She is passionately involved in the education that occurs outside the classroom enhancing students’ engagement in the full collegiate experience. As the senior vice president for Student Affairs, she oversees Division I Athletics, Student Employment Services, Student Health Services, Student Housing, Student Psychological Services, the Center for Service and Action, Student Life, Campus Recreation, Judicial Affairs, Ethnic and Intercultural Services, the Office of International Student Services and Student Media. She actively serves in the West Coast Conference (President, 1992-2002), the National Collegiate Athletic Association, California Women in Higher Education, the Center for Excellence in Education and JASPA/NASPA.

Dr. Bove began her work in education as a reading specialist from 1972-81 in the Palos Verdes Unified School District. Subsequently she served as director of the Academic Resource Center at Loyola Marymount University. She earned a master’s degree in reading from Loyola University and a doctorate in institutional management from Pepperdine University.

In July 2010, Dr. Deborah Cady Melzer joined the Le Moyne team as Vice President for Student Development.  Prior to arriving at Le Moyne, Deb served as the Dean for Student Development at Fairfield University and in a variety of student affairs roles in residence life, student conduct, student activities, campus ministry and orientation at Wellesley, Simmons and Stonehill Colleges.  She received her B.A. in Psychology from Saint Michael’s College, her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at the University of Vermont and her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Boston College.  Deb is an adjunct faculty member in the graduate education department at Le Moyne and has served her professional organizations the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA) in a variety of volunteer roles. She lives in Chittenango, New York with her husband, Duane, and daughters Nuala and Madeline.

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Dr. Xavier A. Cole began his tenure at Marquette in 2016 as the vice president for student affairs. The mission of the Division of Student Affairs is grounded in the Ignatian understanding of the dignity and value of each person, fostering the holistic growth of students by providing them opportunities to learn and practice skills, grow in competency, and develop as leaders in service to others.

Prior to Marquette, Cole served as vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Washington College, a small liberal arts institution in Chestertown, Md. Before Washington College, Cole served the Division of Student Development at Loyola University Maryland for 20 years in roles of increasing responsibility, leaving in 2014 as assistant vice president.

A native Mississippian, Cole earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Mississippi; his master’s in history from Miami University (Ohio); and his doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. Cole’s dissertation research focused on mission and identity programs at three Jesuit universities and their impact on mission leadership for laypersons. 

Cole is married to historian Dr. Susanne DeBerry Cole and is the proud dog-father of a feisty cairn terrier named Mingus.

Donelda Cook, Ph.D., came to Loyola in 1993 to become director of the Counseling Center. During her time at Loyola, she served as associate vice president for student development and twice as acting vice president for student development before assuming her current role in July 2017. Dr. Cook earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Delaware State University, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University, and a Master of Theology and Graduate Certificate in Biblical Studies from St. Mary’s Seminary & University Ecumenical Institute of Theology.

Shawna Cooper-Gibson, joined Boston College’s as the Vice President for Student Affairs in August 2021. Prior to that, she served as Seton Hall’s Vice President of Student Services where she was a member of the Executive Cabinet and provided leadership and guidance to facilitate decision making in all matters related to student welfare. Shawna managed a wide array of student support and academic programs including the Academic Resource Center, Career Center, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Freshman Studies, Health Services, Housing and Residence Life, and Public Safety and Security. She was chair of the Council for Student Success and the co-chair of the University Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the Health Intervention and Communication Team. 

Previous to that Shawna served as the Assistant Provost at Loyola University Chicago. She also served as the Dean of Students of the School of Social Services Administration at the University of Chicago, Director of African American Student Affairs at Northwestern University, Assistant Director of the Student Activities Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Assistant Dean of the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago. 

Shawna earned a doctoral degree of education from Boston University, master of education degree from National Louis University and bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois.

Robert W. Davis, Jr., was appointed Vice President for Student Life in 2018.  In this role, he is responsible for the overall management of the division which includes Athletics, Campus Ministries, University Chaplain, University Police, the Center for Career Development, the Center for Health Education and Wellness, the Center for Student Engagement, the Counseling Center, the Cross Cultural Centers, Residence Life, Recreational and Club Sports, Student Conduct and Assessment, Student Health Services, Student Government, Dining Services and the University Bookstore. 

He joined The University of Scranton in 2006 and has served in various capacities across campus.  His previous roles include, Area Coordinator and Assistant Director for Housing Operations in the Office of Residence Life.  In the Division of Development & Alumni Relations, Bobby served as Interim Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations.  He was Assistant Director and then Director of the Pride, Passion, Promise Campaign that raised $129 million to support scholarships and capital projects on campus. Most recently, he was Chief of Staff in the Office of the President.  Prior to his time at the University, he was a volunteer in the Alumni Service Corps at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia.

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Dave Johnson assumed his role of Associate Provost and Chief Student Affairs Officer at Xavier University on July 1, 2012.  During his time at Xavier, Dave has also served as the Executive Director for the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice (2010-2011) and as the Director for Peace and Justice Programs (2007-2010).  

Prior to Xavier, Dave worked five years for the SHARE Foundation, a non-governmental organization that promotes economic development in El Salvador, worked at St. John’s University in Minnesota, served as a teacher in Belize and biked from the southernmost tip of Argentina to Minnesota.  Dave has his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Miami University in Oxford, OH; his research focused on leadership practices and institutional change that promotes student success.  Dave received his master’s degree in theology with a concentration in social ethics from Boston College and has a Bachelor’s degree in Peace Studies from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.  

As the Associate Provost and Chief Student Affairs Officer, Dave oversees 12 functional areas, 58 staff members and over 170 student workers.  The division generates over $17 million in annual revenue and manages over 1.4 million square feet of facilities.  Student Affairs supports students’ social integration into the University community; our mission is to facilitate and promote leadership development, wellness, identity development, and a commitment to spirituality and social justice.

As Vice President of Student Affairs I provide leadership for integrating students’ intellectual, spiritual, and emotional development, ensuring a vibrant campus life, promoting students' health and well-being, and delivering excellent services and programs for all students.

Given the shifting landscape of higher education, I work with my team to focus on high-value innovations in the student experience that correspond to the changing needs of students. 

My work centers around meaning-making and helping students gain the tools to lead their own extraordinary life. I am co-author of two books, Helping College Students Find Purpose: The Campus Guide to Meaning Making and Teaching College Students Communication Strategies for Effective Social Justice Advocacy, and numerous articles.

In an effort to maintain a healthy home life, I accept a limited number of invitations to speak, present, and consult each year.

I've enjoyed the opportunity to serve on several boards, including the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators and NASPA’s Center for Women. I live in MA with my husband and daughter and our dog and three cats.

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Kent Porterfield, Ed.D., serves as the Vice President for Student Development at Saint Louis University. A firm believer in a holistic model of education, Dr. Porterfield works cooperatively with academic leaders to establish a range of collaborative initiatives, including learning communities, the Center for Global Citizenship, the Center for Service and Community Engagement and the Student Success Center.

Jeanne Rosenberger serves as the University's Chief Student Affairs Officer, providing leadership and direction to the Center for Student Leadership, Career Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Services, Residence Life, Office for Multicultural Learning, the Office of Student Life, New Student Programs and Parent and Family Programs.

Together with her staff, Vice Provost Rosenberger provides leadership in developing innovative co-curricular programs and student support services that respond to student needs and campus issues related to student life outside the classroom. As a primary advocate for student participation in the life of the University, she cultivates open dialogue opportunities that help shape institutional decision-making and ensure inclusion of student voices.

Prior to her appointment as Vice Provost, she served as the University's Dean of Students, Director of the Center for Student Leadership, and Associate Director of the Benson Center and Student Activities. Before coming to Santa Clara in 1991, she worked in Campus Life at California State University Northridge. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Gonzaga University and a Master of Arts at Bowling Green State University

Dr. Alvin Sturdivant is the Assistant Vice President for Student Development at Seattle University.  In this role he serves as a member of the senior leadership team and provides visionary and administrative leadership for a number of key departments towards fostering student success and an integrated learning experience.  Prior to joining Seattle University, Dr. Sturdivant was the Director of Housing and Residence Life at Saint Louis University  in St. Louis, MO. Prior to joining the Division of Student Development at Saint Louis University, he served as the Associate Director of Residential Life at the University of Vermont  where he was also an adjunct faculty member in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration program and an instructor at the Community College of Vermont .   Dr. Sturdivant received his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from the University of Vermont  and his Masters of Education and Bachelors of Art in Psychology at North Carolina State University .  His scholarly and professional interests include examining the effects of oppression and discriminatory practices in college communities, exploring the experiences of students of color in higher education, examining campus climate in the context of bias related acts and behaviors, and exploring the experiences of African American men in higher education.  

Tanya A. Winegard, PhD, is the vice provost for student life at Creighton University. In her role, she oversees Residential Life, Student Health Services, Student Counseling Services, Student Development, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Student Leadership and Involvement Center, Creighton Intercultural Center, Housing and Auxiliary Services, the Skutt Student Center, Centralized Reservations, and University Dining. 

Winegard first came to Creighton in 1997 as the student activities coordinator and assumed progressively greater leadership roles. After working for 15 years in student life, she was chosen to serve as the associate vice president for equity and inclusion in June 2012.

She received her doctorate in higher education administration and leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2010. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Iowa in student development in post-secondary education and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in political science and psychology.

Winegard has received much recognition for her commitment to higher education including the Mary Lucretia and Sarah Emily Creighton Award, Creighton’s St. Ignatius Award, and Creighton’s Rev. Thomas J. Lukaszewicz, S.J. Award. She is also a member of the Jesuit Honors Society, Alpha Sigma Nu.

Sherri joined the division of Student Affairs at John Carroll University as the Dean of Students in 2004. She has more than 20 years of experience in Student Affairs working at both private and public institutions around the country. Sherri moved to Ohio in 2004 after spending the previous 10 years in Minnesota and appreciates the warmer winters!

After receiving a B.S. in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Sherri attended Penn State University and earned a master’s degree in counseling. Sherri completed her Ph.D. in 2001 from the University of Minnesota and focused her research on better understanding the experiences for African-American students who attend predominantly white institutions.