Susie Brubaker-Cole named Stanford vice provost for student affairs
Susie Brubaker-Cole, a former Stanford academic administrator who is currently the vice provost for student affairs at Oregon State University, has been named the next vice provost for student affairs at Stanford, Provost Persis Drell announced Monday.
Susie Brubaker-Cole has been named the next vice provost for student affairs at Stanford. (Image credit: Aaron Kehoe)
As vice provost, Brubaker-Cole will oversee more than 25 offices and centers that offer resources, advising and support to 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford. She will succeed retiring Vice Provost Greg Boardman on Oct. 1 and will be on campus starting Sept. 11 to begin transitioning to her new role.
“Susie knows Stanford well, and she has a deep understanding of students’ needs. I am thrilled to welcome her back,” Drell said. “She brings extensive knowledge of all aspects of both the undergraduate and graduate experience. She is a strong leader who commands the respect of all who work with her. She is truly passionate about key issues our students care about. She understands the importance and challenge of supporting them to thrive in an increasingly complex world.”
Brubaker-Cole served for eight years as Stanford’s associate vice provost for undergraduate education, from 1999 to 2008, leading academic advising, undergraduate research, honors programs, academically themed living-learning programs, and graduate fellowships and scholarships advising. She also was a live-in Stanford resident fellow within Student Affairs, directing residential programming and student staff development for a frosh and sophomore residence.
Brubaker-Cole has led Oregon State’s Student Affairs division for the past three years, an office similar in scope to that at Stanford. She previously served six years as associate provost for academic success and engagement on the Oregon campus. As associate provost, she worked in close partnership with the Division of Student Affairs, academic units and the Faculty Senate to guide the vision, development and implementation of university-wide student success and engagement initiatives.
In her return to Stanford, Brubaker-Cole will oversee a Student Affairs division that manages the residential life and many student experiences that take place outside the classroom. Its units include the University Registrar, the Dean of Students, student health services, Residential Education, BEAM Career Education, the Graduate Life Office, the Haas Center for Public Service and numerous student service and student cultural, diversity and community centers. The vice provost for student affairs is a member of the University Cabinet.
“I am so thrilled and excited to be coming back to the Student Affairs organization. I’ve learned so much about its strengths and broad excellence, I am eager to start working and getting to know my new colleagues,” Brubaker-Cole said. “I have deep affection for Stanford and its historical commitment to service for the benefit of all people and society. It will be a privilege to be part of the long-range planning process that is under way now to shape Stanford’s future contributions to the world and the future experiences of our students.”
Brubaker-Cole holds a master’s degree and doctorate in French literature from Yale University, with a focus on 19th- and 20th-century literature and Francophone literature of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. She earned her bachelor’s degree in French and comparative history of ideas as a transfer student at the University of Washington.
To assure a smooth transition, Brubaker-Cole will work closely with Greg Boardman before officially taking the helm of Student Affairs. Boardman will also continue to assist the transition in the coming months.
Boardman announced his retirement last February. He has served as vice provost since January 2006 and was interim dean of student affairs from 2005 to 2006. Boardman has dedicated his professional career to advancing student development and learning, engaging students in ongoing dialogue and reflection outside of the classroom, resulting in their growth as responsible and ethical global citizens.
Brubaker-Cole said she looks forward to continuing to advance the Stanford student experience. “The world is evolving rapidly. Given the changes in our student population, in technology, and in the world, I look forward to working together with the amazing community of people that make Stanford Student Affairs to ask: What should the nature of today’s – and tomorrow’s – student experience be?”