Meet the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Team
Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. K.C. Mmeje
became vice president for student affairs at Southern Methodist University effective July 17, 2017.
"Strength of character and a commitment to students shines through in interactions with Dr. Mmeje," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. "His experience at urban, private universities in Chicago and Los Angeles also set him apart as a candidate for this important position at SMU. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mmeje to the Hilltop in Dallas."
In his new duties, Mmeje (pronounced MAY-jay) will oversee areas including the Office of the Dean of Student Life; Residence Life; women’s, LGBT, multicultural, volunteer and leadership programs; student activities; student conduct; the Hegi Family Career Development Center; campus ministries; health and wellness programs, including the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center; the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports.
As assistant vice president and dean of students at Loyola University Chicago since September 2014, Mmeje has been responsible for several functional areas that support Loyola’s academic mission and promote a vibrant campus life, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Off-Campus Student Life, Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution, Student Activities & Greek Affairs, Leadership Development and Second Year Experience, Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, and the Student Government of Loyola Chicago (SGLC). He has almost 15 years of progressively responsible student affairs experience in judicial affairs, crisis management, retention and academic support services, and student advocacy and support.
Mmeje received his B.A. degree in sociology and Black studies from the University of California-Santa Barbara. He earned a Master of Education degree in higher education student affairs administration from the University of Vermont and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from USC. In addition, he holds a Certificate in Management and Leadership in Education from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Assistant Vice President & Chief of Staff
Dr. Adam R. Cebulski
Dr. Adam R. Cebulski provides overall leadership for the Student Engagement and Success portfolio within Student Affairs which includes Student Involvement (Programs and Events, Hughes-Trigg Student Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life), Student Development, Social Change and Intercultural Engagement, the Women and LGBT Center, Office of the Student Experience (Leadership, Orientation, Parent Programs, speciality populations) as well as the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. In addition, he oversees Student Affairs Administration (assessment, strategic initiatives, marketing, technology, etc).
Dr. Cebulski holds his Ed.D. in Higher Education from Southern Methodist University, his M.S.Ed. degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University and a B.S. degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. His background has focused on strategic planning and assessment, and he has helped many universities and non-profit organizations implement structural and procedural changes to improve operations. His professional expertise also includes process improvement, program evaluation, student retention initiatives, marketing, admissions and recruitment, and technology integration. He most recently served as the Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives for Campus Labs and is an independent consultant for higher education institutions. Previously, he held positions within student and academic affairs at Illinois Institute of Technology and Northwestern University.
His research projects include using gamification principles and human motivation patterns to increase student engagement and success, development of intentional student experiences, the intersection of identity salience of underrepresented students and leadership development, in-group bias against positive attributes, and the impacts and integration of technology on higher education.
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
Nan Gunter
Nan Gunter joined the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in March of 2016 and is thrilled to be part of this dynamic team. Nan supports the Office of the Vice President through administrative and logistics work. She assists with strategic division initiatives and sits on division committees. She is also responsible for coordination division-wide activities.
She began working at SMU in 2003 at the Cox School of Business and later moved to the Development and External Affairs Division. She has also earned a Graduate Marketing Certificate from Southern Methodist University. Nan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University.
Assistant to the Assistant Vice President & Chief of Staff
Lydia Dale
Lydia Dale has served the SMU campus community as a member of the Division of Student Affairs since January 1983. She has a dual role in the division providing administrative and logistical support to the Assistant Vice President & Chief of Staff and serving as Student Involvement Coordinator. Lydia also serves as contract lead for Student Affairs and chairs one of the division committees.
In 2000 Lydia received the “M” Award, the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators. She holds a Business Administration AAS degree from Richland College.
