Evelyn L. Ashley Named Dean of Students at UMass Amherst

Image

AMHERST, Mass.  – Evelyn L. Ashley has been named dean of students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She will assume her new responsibilities on Sept. 14.

Ashley brings nearly two decades of progressively responsible experience in higher education to her new role. Most recently, she served as associate dean of students and director of student support, advocacy and accountability at Southern Methodist University (SMU). In that role, she implemented a process allowing students to be involved in the development of sanctions, working to build buy-in and accountability for policy violation. She assisted in the development of SMU’s first university-wide bias incident reporting protocol, and in 2018 was named Student Conduct Professional of the Year by the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA).

Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life, said, “Evelyn Ashley is a collaborative leader committed to innovative and creative approaches to providing the essential programs, services and supports which will allow our students at UMass Amherst to thrive intellectually, emotionally and socially. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a student-centered approach to her work, creating policies and procedures that ensure the graduate and undergraduate student experience is at the forefront of any decision-making process.”

Ashley earned her bachelor of arts in exercise sports science from Hamline University, her master’s of education in adult learning and development from Cleveland State University and her Ph.D. in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University.

At UMass Amherst, her responsibilities will include management of student conduct and community standards, new students’ orientation, student care and advocacy, the Office of Parent Services, and student life. She will also serve as a liaison with student life staff at the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst.