I am delighted to announce that Marsha Dawson have been selected as Ithaca College’s staff representative to attend the upcoming HERS Leadership Institute for 2024-2025. The HERS Leadership Institute is a transformational, leadership development program for higher education professionals that prepares faculty and staff to develop a broad understanding of their institutions and of higher education more generally, to network with other emerging and current leaders, and to identify and design projects that can positively impact their campuses. Each year Ithaca College sponsors at least one member from the faculty and one member from the staff to participate in HERS higher education leadership academies.
Marsha Dawson joined Ithaca College in 2019 as the Director of the Offices of Residential Life and Student Conduct. She quickly built strong and collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and students across the campus. These relationships helped her tremendously as she led the department through the many challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of her strong leadership and concern and advocacy for students she was appointed to her current position as the of Dean of Students in 2022. In this role she has direct oversite for the areas of Residential Life and Student Conduct, ICare and Student Support, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Promotion and Student Accessibility Services. She is currently working with Student Health Services to learn the area as it will rejoin her portfolio next year. Most recently she has also taken on the role of Interim Director for the BIPOC Unity Center to continue to provide support and stability to the Center and BIPOC students during a time of leadership transition.
Marsha is originally from Jamaica and a first-generation college student. She has over two decades of experience in student affairs. In addition to her engagement with our campus Marsha also works to support the surrounding community. Her recent community activities include workings as a board member for the Advocacy Center in Tompkins County and presenting on development and DEI initiatives for High School Students.
Marsha is a strong leader who leads with both her head and her heart. Her favorite quote by Maya Angelou guides her thoughts and actions: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Please join me in congratulating Marsha on being selected for this amazing opportunity!
