New Associate Dean for Student Affairs is Announced

Marco Valenzuela has accepted the position of associate dean of student affairs. His first day will be on Nov. 30. In this key role, Marco will serve as an advisor and support strategic priorities and initiatives. He will act as the cross-divisional liaison to campus partners, promoting cross-functional and cross-divisional communications and alignment, and convening and serving on committees and working groups. He will lead family and supporter services as well.

As a member of the divisional management team, he will help identify and respond to student issues, develop divisional funding initiatives, and partner with advancement to plan, propose, and steward philanthropy and donor management efforts. Marco will serve in the divisional senior staff in charge on-call rotation, responding to significant campus emergencies or student crisis issues after hours.

Marco joins Dartmouth from Harvey Mudd College where he served as vice president for student affairs and dean of students. In this role, he was responsible for the division of student affairs including campus life, recreational and athletic activities; career services; community; health and wellness programming; institutional diversity; and residential life. Additional areas of oversight included the College's recreational and fitness facilities, new student orientation, commencement, student publications, and international students.

Prior to this position, he worked as an associate dean of students and director of residential life at Harvey Mudd. In that role he provided leadership and oversight to Harvey Mudd's Housing, Residential Life, and Student Wellness. He also worked at Pomona College and Woodbury University in residential life.

With an Ed.D. in educational leadership from UCLA, a master's in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State, and a BA from University of California at Irvine (same as me!), Marco brings a strong academic background to the position. His deep knowledge of student affairs, experience partnering with units outside student affairs, commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging, and experience in leadership, make him an invaluable addition to our team. Most importantly, Marco demonstrates a commitment to students and helping them thrive.

When he's not at work, Marco enjoys spending time with his partner, Justin, and dog, Tank. He loves to try new restaurants and has fun shopping. A native of California, Marco is looking forward to being in New Hampshire and learning new outdoor activities.