Michigan Tech Appoints New Vice President for Student Affairs
Michigan Technological University announces the appointment of Wallace Southerland III as Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, effective July 1.
He joins Michigan Tech after an exhaustive national search co-chaired by Beth Williams, director of Career Services, and Ph.D. candidate Apruva Baruah (ME-EM).
“I appreciate and thank the search committee for their efforts in identifying the next leader for Michigan Tech’s student body,” said Rick Koubek, president. “Dr. Southerland’s depth of experience in student affairs and diversity issues promises a new era of leadership at Michigan Tech and I am pleased to welcome him to the team.”
Koubek also thanked Joe Cooper, director of the Student Financial Services Center, for graciously agreeing to serve as Interim Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs.
Southerland has 30 years of leadership and management experience in higher education. He is currently the associate vice president of student affairs at Salisbury University, a campus of the University System of Maryland located on the historic Maryland eastern shore.
In addition to overseeing several student affairs departments, Southerland has administrative oversight of assessment, strategic planning, emergency and student crisis protocols, and academic affairs partnerships out of the vice president’s office, and assists with budget. He also has extensive classroom experience as an adjunct faculty member in online and traditional universities, most recently in the department of communication at Salisbury University.
Examples of Southerland’s career accomplishments include improving student retention and graduation rates for first-generation, low-income, disability, minority, and other students; implementing planning and assessment practices in student affairs; raising funds to support student service functions and scholarships; and securing more than $15 million in Federal TRIO educational grants.
A native of Washington, D.C., Southerland earned a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Counseling, both from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from the University of Maryland College Park.
“I am absolutely humbled and excited about joining President Koubek’s team and the larger Husky Family,” said Southerland. “I look forward to working with a great Student Affairs team, partnering with incredible colleagues at Michigan Tech, and engaging with the Houghton community. I have my warm clothes and am ready to get to work!”