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Carllos Lassiter Selected as Westminster College’s New Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students

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Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2017

Carllos Lassiter has been selected to serve as the next Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Westminster College following a national search. Lassiter will begin his appointment at Westminster in July 2017.

“We are very pleased that Mr. Lassiter will be joining us at Westminster,” said President Kathy Brittain Richardson. “He brings broad experience in student affairs leadership, and he is deeply committed to supporting the growth and well being of students within a vibrant campus community.”

“I am truly excited to be joining such an esteemed and outstanding liberal arts institution,” said Lassiter. “My team and I will work to ensure a holistic and transformative approach to student life that will augment students’ academic pursuits.  I am honored by my selection and look forward to working with the entire Westminster College campus in creating a student-centered learning community.”

Lassiter currently serves as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Rust College, in Holly Springs, Miss.  As the chief student affairs officer, Lassiter directly oversees residence education; student health; religious life; greek life; student activities; student conduct; and campus security. He implemented a new crisis assessment, intervention and response plan and created partnerships with local colleges to develop a cross-institutional student leadership training program. He also developed mental health resource partnerships with local community and state-wide agencies, created rebranding of the student life experience at Rust College, and reorganized student housing, creating a model residential education program with emphasis on integrating learning, engagement and development in campus co-curricular programming.

With more than 14 years of experience in student affairs, Lassiter has served at a variety of academic institutions, including Vanderbilt University, Tulane University, and the University of Chicago, where he developed and led initiatives that met the changing needs of diverse student populations and increased opportunities for student input and engagement. Lassiter has been committed to creating a campus culture and environment that is inclusive and one which enhances the growth of all students to reach their full potential.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies from Vassar College, Lassiter received a master of arts degree in higher education administration from the University of Mississippi where he is completing his doctorate in higher education. He participated in the Executive Leadership Academy of The Council of Independent Colleges in 2015-2016. He has served on a number of committees and commissions of the American College Personnel Association and is affiliated with National Association of Student Personnel Administrators; Association of College and University Housing Officers—International; Association for Student Conduct Administration; Association of Governing Board of Universities and Colleges; and the White House HBCU All-Star Alumni Association Advisory Board. He has given numerous presentations focused on leadership development and matters related to higher education.  

In his spare time, Lassiter enjoys attending sporting events, cooking, traveling and mentoring youth in the local community.  

Lassiter succeeds Dr. Neal Edman, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, who is retiring after 29 years at Westminster College.

The Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) exercises oversight of student and residential life, student conduct, Greek life, health, counseling and campus safety, as well as diversity, disability, and career services. Additionally, the VPSA serves as the Title IX coordinator. As chief student affairs officer and member of the president’s leadership team, the VPSA serves as an advocate for the students and division staff, maintains close communication with the president and fellow senior administrators, and serves in a liaison role to selected committees of the Board of Trustees.

For more information, contact Rick Sherlock, Senior Director Marketing and Communications, at shelora@westminster.edu or 724-946-7191.