Dr. David Starrett, Columbia College provost and vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, announced Wednesday that Dave Roberts has been selected as the new dean for Student Affairs following a national search to fill the position. Roberts had been serving as interim dean for Student Affairs since January 2017, taking over for Faye Burchard following her retirement after 28 years at the college.

“Dave has been an integral member of our team the past six years and has served the college very well as interim dean for Student Affairs,” Starrett said. “He is consistently focused on how we can best serve our students and what initiatives will help them reach their educational goals.”

Roberts joined the college 2011 to work as assistant dean of Student Affairs, then was promoted to associate dean in 2014. He has been a valuable leader and ambassador for Columbia College nationally, locally and with student groups on campus. Roberts has helped advise student organizations, partnered with faculty to redevelop the curriculum for the Introduction to Columbia College class for new students and oversaw the college’s initial Title IX compliance initiatives, a process through which he met with state of Missouri legislators in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the college.

In his role as dean for Student Affairs, Roberts will continue to supervise nine full-time staff members and serve as the chief student conduct officer for the more than 25,000 Columbia College students at main campus, the Nationwide locations and in Online Education. He will also lead initiatives related to strategic planning, assessment, first-year experience development, retention, staff training, professional development and parent involvement.

“I feel extremely honored to be selected as dean for the Division of Student Affairs at such a vibrant, student-focused institution,” Roberts said. “I look forward to continue working with the talented faculty, staff and students at Columbia College to carry on a 166-year-old tradition of academic excellence, student engagement and global citizenship.”

Roberts joined Columbia College in 2011 after four years at the University of Missouri as the director of Leadership Development and Community Involvement. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Education in 2002 from Valdosta State University, his master’s degree in Education from the University of South Florida in 2004 and will begin pursuit of his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership this fall.

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