Anderson Named University of Southern Mississippi Vice President for Student Affairs

University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Steven R. Moser, has announced the selection of Dr. Dee Dee Anderson as the University's new Vice President for Student Affairs. The appointment is effective Monday, April 16, pending approval from the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning. Anderson will succeed Dr. Thomas H. Burke, who is retiring in June.

“Dr. Anderson is a visionary and dedicated student services professional with demonstrated experience in building student services programs, increasing student engagement, developing the student experience outside the classroom, and strategic and long-range planning,” Moser said.

As Vice President for Student Affairs, Anderson will hold supervisory responsibility for a wide range of activities, programs and services that enhance the quality of life for the University community, including all programs that support student welfare and development. Anderson was selected following a national search that attracted a large pool of qualified applicants. She was highly recommended by a University screening committee, which considered input from USM students, faculty, staff and alumni. 

“I am excited to be joining The University of Southern Mississippi's team under President Bennett's leadership,” Anderson said. “I look forward to joining the University community and the Division of Student Affairs to provide students with a welcoming environment, student-centered services and activities that foster their success at the University both in and outside of the classroom.”

Anderson has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, gaining broad experience in Student Affairs overseeing Campus Recreation, Counseling Services, Health Services, Residential Life/Housing, Disability Resource Center, Dean of Students Office, Greek Life, Student Engagement, Student Advocacy, Student Conduct, Veterans Services, Leadership Programming, Women's Center and Multicultural Affairs. She recently served as Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Development at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she provided leadership, vision and strategic direction for the Division of Student Development.

“The campus life experience is a critical component of student success,” said University President Rodney D. Bennett. “I am excited to welcome Dr. Anderson to Hattiesburg, to USM, and to our senior leadership team. I am confident that her experiences in student affairs will complement and enhance ongoing academic and student success initiatives.”

Anderson's experiences are complemented by leadership positions in various professional associations and community service. She is an active member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and currently serves on the Associate Vice President Steering Committee. In 2017, Anderson received the Women in Higher Education Tennessee Women of Achievement Award.

Dr. Anderson holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Louisiana Tech University, as well as a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from that same institution.