Cornell University Dean of Students: Roles, Responsibilities, and Transformation

The Dean of Students at Cornell University plays a pivotal role in shaping the student experience. This article explores the responsibilities of the Dean of Students (DOS), the structure of the Dean of Students Office, and the various individuals and teams that contribute to student support, advocacy, and community standards.

The Role of the Dean of Students

The Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students (DOS) serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President for Student and Campus Life (SCL). The Dean provides strategic vision and oversight for all aspects of the student experience. The Dean ensures successful delivery and the cultivation of co-curricular programs, initiatives and support. The Dean of Students facilitates student transformation and represents student concerns as an advocate, educator, and campus partner. The Dean also advises undergraduate (UA) and graduate and professional (GPSA) student assemblies.

Key Responsibilities

The Dean of Students oversees access to comprehensive initiatives, services, and support that advance student learning and development, including:

Office of the Dean of Students
Centers for Student Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging
Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
Student Support and Advocacy Services

Structure and Key Personnel

The Dean of Students Office is comprised of dedicated individuals who work collaboratively to support students.

Leadership Team

Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students: Dr. Marla Love currently holds this position, providing strategic leadership for the entire Dean of Students Office within the Division of Student and Campus Life (SCL).
Executive Assistant to the Dean of Students: Jessica Edwards serves as the Executive Assistant to the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students. In this role, Jessica is a vital point of contact for students and university stakeholders and collaborates closely with the senior leadership team to plan and implement administrative priorities. Jessica is also pursuing a master's degree in Social Work at Syracuse University.
Senior Associate Dean of Students for Student Support and Advocacy Services: Greta Kenney provides strategic leadership for the Student Support and Advocacy Services’ team, which aims to support students in distress with a goal towards overall well-being and empowerment. She also serves as chair for the University’s Behavior Intervention Team (CARE Team).
Senior Associate Dean of Students for the Centers for Student Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging: Michelle Van-Ess Grant, Ed.D. leads the Centers for Student Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging (The Centers) at Cornell University.
Senior Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards: Christina leads the OSCCS team in upholding community standards through the student conduct process under the Student Code of Conduct (Code).

Other Key Staff

Director of Student Services & Advising: Marcie will have primary responsibility for student counseling on course selection, degree requirements, and non-academic factors that impact academic, personal, and professional success.
Director of Student Services & Advising: Daniel Nemeth-Neumann joined Cornell Law School as Director of Student Services & Advising in February 2025.
Student Services Assistant: Josh brings a strong understanding of academic support and student engagement.
Office Coordinator: Kate Rancruel serves as the Office Coordinator.

Core Functions of the Dean of Students Office

The Office of the Dean of Students serves as a central point of contact for the advocacy, empowerment, and education of all students. The Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) cultivates the holistic growth and development of students through advocacy, empowerment, and education. The Dean of Students Office (DOS) is dedicated to transformational learning in the co-curricular guiding students towards greater resiliency and engagement. DOS promotes a cohesive campus community that brings people together across lines of difference and provides support during challenging times to allow all students to benefit from the educational and co-curricular environment. It enhances the student experience by offering comprehensive support and resources, providing co-curricular opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging.

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Student Support and Advocacy Services

Student Support & Advocacy Services assists students in navigating difficult life events and crisis situations that impact their ability to be successful. It utilizes a student-centered and individualized approach to support and empower students. The office serves as the central point of contact for students, families, and community members and collaborates with campus partners to holistically support students.

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) supports the holistic development of the student experience by educating students about behavioral expectations and enforcing the Student Code of Conduct (Code) through a fair and educational process that fosters campus safety, accountability, and personal/organizational development. The OSCCS ensures proper investigation and resolution of alleged Code violations, or any other regulation as the University President and/or Board of Trustees may direct. The OSCCS adheres to the established procedures under the Code when resolving alleged conduct violations with fairness, integrity, and objectivity for all parties involved, consistent with the university’s educational goals.

The Associate Dean of Students - Group Behavior and Development for the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) reports to the Senior Associate Dean of Students and Director of OSCCS and serves as a member of the office’s leadership team. The Associate Dean supports the collaborative development, management, and evaluation of the university’s student conduct system and cases arising out of the Code on a campus of 24,000 students and over 1,000 student organizations, including a robust Greek life presence. This position leads all aspects of the conduct process related to student groups and organizations (e.g., fraternities, sororities, living groups, athletic teams, and clubs), including case management, and resolution options (investigation and adjudication, alternative dispute resolution, including restorative practices). In this work, the Associate Dean utilizes an educational and restorative approach in managing and resolving student organization conduct concerns. The Associate Dean also leads collateral areas of OSCCS, including departmental assessment, the development of all educational, alternative, restorative resolution options, and manages the conduct data management system. Additionally, this position supervises direct reports in their assigned area and serves in an Administrator on-call rotation responding to crisis-related situations after-hours, including navigating high-level issues of physical and psychological safety.

Specific Areas of Oversight

The Dean of Students' influence extends to various aspects of student life, including:

Fraternity and sorority affairs
New student programs
Student Activities Office
Willard Straight Hall
Cornell United Religious Work (CURW)

Addressing Student Concerns

The Dean of Students Office serves as a point of contact for various student concerns:

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Academic Questions

Registration: For assistance with course registration students should connect with their respective registrar's office by visiting the College Registrar Directory.
Grades, Courses, or Professors: For assistance with academic support students should reach out to their respective advising and support offices to learn more about resources and opportunities to connect.
Accessibility Accommodations: Students are encouraged to complete a Disability Self-Disclosure form with Student Disability Services (SDS). After you submit your accommodation request, it can take up to three weeks for SDS to follow up with you.

Other Concerns

Health and Safety: If you have an immediate concern about the health and safety of your student outside of business hours, please contact Cornell University Police Department.
Student of Concern: Please connect with staff within Student Support & Advocacy Services by using this form, selecting Student of Concern in the Report Type drop-down menu or calling 607-254-8598.
Bias or Discrimination: Know that confidential care and support for individuals affected by bias are available through Cornell Health.

Student and Campus Life (SCL)

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters, including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations, including sorority and fraternity life. Our nearly 4,000 staff and student employees who make up SCL embrace the opportunity to represent the division and strive for excellence as we shape the Cornell student experience, one interaction at a time.

Qualities of Effective Staff

The Dean of Students Office seeks individuals with specific skills and qualities. Success Factors include:

Applied understanding of student development theory, including the impact of student behavior on overall student and student organization success.
An ability to navigate and work collaboratively in a student-centered environment committed to the values of shared governance, with enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to supporting a diverse student body.
An ability to work in a conduct system dedicated to a fair and educational process that fosters campus safety, accountability, and personal/organizational development.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, planning, reasoning, organizational, and project management skills, with an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Demonstrated success in implementing case management and crisis response efforts grounded in trauma-informed care, and identity-conscious support.
A commitment to working collaboratively in a student-centered environment committed to the important values of shared governance, with enthusiasm for supporting a student body that is broadly diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and (dis)ability, among other factors.
An ability to build relationships and maintain trust, assess and balance the needs of various stakeholders, and identify and advocate for achievable solutions.

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