Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services

The Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services (SEES) at Old Dominion University (ODU) focuses on recruitment, engagement, active learning, and student success. It is responsible for all aspects of the university regarding students including admissions and registration, housing and residence life, student organizations, counseling, and academic support.

History

The administrative function of student affairs activities began in 1957 with Rebecca O. White becoming the first Dean of Women. The following year, Admiral Harold J. Wright was named Dean of Admissions and Dean of Men. In 1961, Dr. G. William Whitehurst was named the first Acting Dean of Students along with White and Admiral Wright as Dean of Women and Men, respectively. Dr. Whitehurst was named as the full-time Dean of Students in 1962, named Dean of Student Affairs in 1963, and continued that role until he resigned to serve in the United States Congress in 1968. As Old Dominion began to transform into a university, student enrollment began to explode. As a result, a separate Dean of Men was re-instated in 1970 along with the Dean of Student Affairs, and in 1971, the Dean of Men and Women positions merged into Associate Deans of Student Affairs.  Over the years, the office has changed names several times including the Office of Student Services, Student Affairs, Educational Services and Planning, and finally Student Engagement and Enrollment Services in 2010. The department went though an extensive reorganization from 2010-2011 to become Student Engagement and Enrollment Services, bringing together several areas to foster student success at Old Dominion.

Vice Presidents for Student Affairs/Engagement and Enrollment Services and Dean of Students

1957-1971: Rebecca O. White (Dean of Women)

1958-1963: Admiral Harold J. Wright (Dean of Men)

1962-1968: G. William Whitehurst (Dean of Student Affairs)

January 1969-June 1970: Joel B. Whitten, Jr. (Dean of Student Affairs)

July 1970-1977: Alfred Warren Matthews (Dean of Student Affairs and Vice President for Student Services)

1977-2006: Dr. Dana Burnett (Dean of Student Affairs, Vice President for Educational Services and Planning, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Services, Vice President for Student Services/Dean of Students)

2006-2011: Geneva Walker-Johnson (Vice President for Student Services, Dean of Students/Chief Student Affairs Officer)

2011-2019: Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services

2019-2022: Dr. Don Stansberry, Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services

January-June 2023: Dr. Augustine Agho, Interim Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services

June 2023-Present: Dr. Brandi Hephner LaBanc, Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services

Resources

1. Vice President for Student Affairs Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529.

References

1. Old Dominion University Catalogs, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529.
2. Old Dominion University Faculty and Staff Directories, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529.