Kent State Announces New Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Kent State University has appointed Shay Little, Ph.D., as the new associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Students. Little will replace Sheryl Smith, Ph.D., dean of Students and Student Ombuds, who will be retiring in August. Jennifer Kulics, Ph.D., was recently appointed student ombuds and has assumed all related ombuds’ responsibilities.

As dean of students, Little will serve as Kent State's primary student advocate and will collaborate with students, faculty, staff and the local community on various student-focused initiatives. The Center for Student Involvement and the Office of Student Conduct will report directly to Little, and she will chair the university’s Care Team, a broadly-representative group of campus administrators handling sensitive, often complex, student-related concerns, topics and behaviors.

Little’s 20-year higher education career reflects a variety of professional experiences, including administrative services, student ombuds, residence life, judicial affairs, staff supervision, and both undergraduate and graduate teaching. The majority of her career has been at the University of Georgia where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in counseling and student personnel services in 2002. 

Little’s appointment will begin on Monday, July 16. A welcome reception has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 17, from 9-10 a.m. at Room 250 in the Kent Student Center.