Dean of Students Office Staff
Tom Brown In his capacity as Dean of Students, Dean Brown coordinates student advocacy, emergency response, orientation, parent relations, and campus climate programs and initiatives for the university. He holds a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech. Brown is the past chair of the mid-Atlantic region of the National Orientation Director’s Association, a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, charter member of the Virginia Tech Leadership Academy, and has served in several capacities with town and civic organizations. Previously, Dean Brown served as Assistant Director of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and as a County Agent and Administrative Assistant to the Vice Provost within the Extension Division of the university. |
Patricia Carstensen Patricia (Pat) Carstensen is Case Coordinator in the Dean of Students Office. She serves as an advocate for students who were enrolled at VT during Spring 2007 semester. Prior to joining Dean of Students office as Case Coordinator in January 2009, she was an advisor in University Studies for eleven years and worked two years as Orientation Coordinator. She holds an MA in Geography and a BA in Psychology and Geography from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. |
Sharrika Davis Sharrika Davis has served as the Associate Dean of Students since July 2007. Her primary responsibilities include student advocacy/emergency response, staff development coordination and departmental assessment/reporting. She joined the Virginia Tech community in 1998 working in Residence Life as a Complex Director and Area Coordinator. She has also served as graduate assistant at the VT Women’s Center and in the Higher Education program. Her research interests include: women and gender issues; case and crisis management; religion and theology. She is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Association for the Study of Higher Education and the Association for Student Conduct Administration. She holds a B.A. in English and a M.A in Liberal Studies, both from Wake Forest University (NC). Davis has also earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy from Virginia Tech. |
Debbie Falls Ms. Falls has worked for Virginia Tech since 1985 when she began working in the Registrar’s Office. In September 1988, she joined the Division of Student Affairs, where she has worked in the Squires Student Center, the Vice President for Student Affairs’ office and the Dean of Students office. She holds an associate degree from New River Community College. |
Sherry Hazelwood Ms. Sherry Hazelwood is the Case Manager in the Dean of Students Office and serves as part of the ‘Advocacy Team’; meeting with students and getting them connected to resources on- and off-campus. She has served in this role since November 2007. Sherry has been at the university since 1993, and prior to joining the Dean of Students Office, she was an assistant director, working with transfer student initiatives, in Undergraduate Admissions and in academic dean’s offices. She holds an MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and BA in Communication, both from Virginia Tech. |
Bruce Hayden Mr. Hayden began his student affairs career by earning a Masters in Counseling and Human Development. His first position was at Roanoke College working in Res Life for 3 years and then he moved to an assistant dean position at Louisburg College. For the past 9 years he served as Associate Dean of Students at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. In his role as assistant dean, he will be acting as a university liaison for Town Gown relations and will act as a primary contact for off campus students. He will also serve as a point person for parent calls, parent e-mail, parent orientation, and support for campus staff as they interact with parents. In addition, he will serve as a member of the Dean of Students on-call team, student conduct advisor, and “other duties” as assigned. He holds membership in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Association for Student Conduct Administrators and Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society. |
Jessica Johns Ms. Johns has served as Orientation Coordinator since June 2008. In this capacity, she coordinates new student activities including freshmen orientation, transfer orientation and Hokie Hi welcome week. She holds a MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech as well as a BS in Sociology from Radford University. She is a member of the National Orientation Directors Association. As a graduate student, Ms. Johns held an assistantship in orientation. She previously served as Coordinator for the Office of New Student and Parent Programs at the University of Missouri. |
Rick Sparks In this capacity Mr. Sparks gives leadership to new student activities including New Student Orientation and Hokie Camp. He holds a M.S. in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University as well as a B.S. in Sociology from Radford University. He holds membership in the National Orientation Directors Association, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society. Previously he served as Special Assistant in the Commonwealth of Virginia Governor’s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention and Director of Virginia’s Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project. |
Shirley Stone Mrs. Stone has worked for Virginia Tech since 1985. Before joining the Division of Student Affairs in October 1992, she worked for the Graduate School and the Registrar’s Office. Mrs. Stone is a member of OMDG and SAFSA. |
Judy Whitenack Ms. Whitenack joined the Dean of Students office in 1996 and is currently the Office Manager as well as Administrative Assistant to both the Dean of Students and the Community Relations Director. Prior to joining the Dean of Students Office she worked for the VT Alumni Association for 3 years and the VT Athletic Association for 8 years taking time off to raise a son. Judy is originally from Miami, FL where she sold State Farm Insurance but happily calls Blacksburg her “forever” home. Judy spends her leisure time volunteering with the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. |
Laura Zseleczky As the Graduate Assistant for New Student Orientation, Laura supports the Orientation Director and Coordinator in student staff recruitment and training, correspondence with new students and parents, and both Transfer and Freshmen student orientation programs. She served as an Orientation Leader in 2007 and an Orientation Assistant in 2008. Laura holds a B.S. in Sociology from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing a Masters of Public and International Affairs. |