Desler to Retire as Dean of Students

Mary Desler, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, will retire from her current position effective in July. She will continue to serve the Division of Student Affairs on a part-time basis beginning in September as senior analyst and coordinator of student affairs assessment.

Desler came to Northwestern in 1996 as assistant vice president for student affairs with responsibility for coordinating division-wide assessment, multicultural programming, the systems for University hearing and appeals and sexual assault hearing and appeals, peer sexual harassment investigations, Parents Council, Family Weekend, emergency loans and Honors Day. 

Beginning in 2000 as associate vice president, she was instrumental in developing Asian/Asian American Student Services, Hispanic/Latino Student Services, the Multicultural Center, Services for Students with Disabilities and Orientation and Student Transitions.
 
In 2004 she was appointed associate vice president and dean of students with additional responsibilities for supervising University Residential Life, SafeRide and the newly established offices for judicial affairs and fraternity and sorority life.  She served as first responder in student crisis situations and as liaison to the academic schools and the Chicago campus.
 
Prior to Northwestern, Mary Desler held positions as vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at North Central College, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, associate dean of the Honors College, and associate dean of students, all at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
 
A reception in Desler's honor has been set for 3:30 p.m. June 26 in the Guild Lounge of Scott Hall.