Leonard Brown

VP, Student Affairs at Norfolk State University

Dr. Leonard Brown serves as NSU’s Vice President for Student Affairs. As the University’s Chief Student Affairs Officer, Dr. Brown has responsibility for continuing to elevate student life at NSU to deliver a fully immersive student experience that compliments the University’s academic mission.

Dr. Brown brings more than 20 years of student affairs experience to NSU. He currently serves as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. As a member of St. Mary’s executive leadership team, Dr. Brown oversees 10 individual departments to include Residence Life, Public Safety, Health Services, and Retention and Student Success. At St. Mary’s College, Dr. Brown has led several initiatives including the development of St. Mary’s Learning through Experiential and Applied Discovery (LEAD) Curriculum, which was a joint venture with the Division of Academic Affairs. Dr. Brown has also led retention efforts that have resulted in the establishment of a two-tiered retention committee that employed a data-driven approach, which resulted in a 95% retention rate for first year students for the fall to spring semester. Dr. Brown also chaired the Title IX Presidential Work-Group that developed the infrastructure and systems that serve as the foundation for St. Mary’s Title IX program.

Prior to his tenure at St. Mary’s, Dr. Brown served as Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Development at Dickinson College. At Dickinson, he oversaw a robust portfolio of student affairs related departments including Wellness and Health Services, Residential Education, Student Conduct, and Diversity initiatives. Dr. Brown has also held positions as Associate Dean of Students at Loyola University of Maryland, and held administrative positions for Housing and Residential Life systems at Frostburg State University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Dr. Brown received his Doctor of Management from the University of Maryland University College. He also holds a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary, and a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. Dr. Brown earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dickinson College.

Timeline

  • VP, Student Affairs

    Current role

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