KATHERINE W. AIKENS
Summary
Accomplished student affairs practitioner with 20 years of progressive leadership experience and doctoral-level education. Demonstrated abilities in executive leadership, effective communication, legal and regulatory compliance, policy development and interpretation, strategic planning, and assessment in the student affairs division. Extensive background in program development and coordination of services and resources to support student well-being and success. Strong commitment to promoting a diverse campus, inclusive and accessible environments, transformative leadership, and demonstrated care for the well-being of students.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Dean of Students
Tennessee Tech University
12.2021 - Current
- Serves on the Executive Leadership Team in the Division of Student Affairs
- Provides visionary leadership to the AVP/Dean of Students team, including Student Affairs Assessment, Marketing, and Technology and identification card system (Eagle Card)
- Serves as the chief conduct officer; administers the student conduct process in accordance with appropriate policies; ensures fundamental fairness and appropriate due process is afforded to all students
- Collaborates with General Counsel, Office of Compliance, University Police, and other entities as necessary for case resolution
- Leads the CARE Team (formerly Behavioral Intervention Team) to identify students of concern early and work closely with applicable campus-based professionals to provide appropriate interventions to support the student
- Facilitates training and serves as chairperson of the Threat Assessment Team meetings as necessary
- Serves as primary risk representative for the Student Affairs division
- Collaborates with each director and other Student Affairs AVPs to produce a quality risk assessment report
- Responsible for implementing the division's continuity of operations plan in the absence of the Vice President during a crisis (pandemic, tornado, etc.)
- Serves as a resource for inquiries regarding First Amendment and free speech, facilities use, campus-based policies, and processes
- Responsible for the student complaint process to address and resolve student complaints
- Facilitates the development, revision, and adherence to the Student Affairs Division's strategic plan in alignment with CAS standards and best practices for the profession
- Collaborates with Division department leaders to identify measurable outcomes and appropriate key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of their programs and services and make evidence-based performance improvements
- Leads the development of annual reports, newsletters, news releases, social media content, and web presences for the Student Affairs Division.
Administrative Adjunct Instructor
Tennessee Tech University
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Served as an adjunct instructor for Tennessee Tech's newly established Ph.D
- Program in Higher Education during the Fall 2023 semester, teaching HRED 7010: Trends & Issues in Higher Education, a fifteen-week course delivered synchronously via Microsoft Teams
- The course focused on contemporary trends and issues in higher education, encompassing philosophical foundations and the historical context of higher education, as well as its role in shaping the future of education
- Key topics included student mental health and well-being, equity and inclusion, access, accessibility and universal design, technology integration and online learning, assessment and data-driven decision-making, leadership development, belongingness, and student engagement.
Dean of Students
Tennessee Tech University
02.2017 - 11.2021
- Responsible for addressing all matters that fall within the scope of the student conduct policy
- Serve as a point of contact for questions or concerns of students, faculty, staff, parents, and the community regarding student life
- Develop, interpret, revise, and enforce rules, policies, and procedures
- Led the Behavioral Intervention Team (CARE Team) to coordinate resource-based interventions for students who are experiencing adverse circumstances with objectives to assist the individual students and keeping our campus community healthy and safe
- Served as advisor to the Student Government Association executive officers, senate, and supreme court
- Provided leadership and oversight for all Student Activities & Campus Life and Greek Life & University Programming functions listed for those positions.
Director of Student Activities and Campus Life
Tennessee Tech University
07.2014 - 09.2015
- In addition to the Coordinator of Greek Life and University Programming functions: Provided oversight of the registration, activities, and annual reporting of approximately 215 recognized student organizations
- Served as building coordinator for Roaden University Center, responsible for scheduling and improvements
- Responsible for the operation of the RUC Information Center.
Coordinator of Greek Life and University Programming
Tennessee Tech University
08.2005 - 06.2014
- Advised 21 Greek organizations encompassing approximately 900 students
- Planned and executed 40 or more Tech Activities Board (TAB) events and activities and negotiated approximately 25 contracts with businesses or agencies each year
- Managed a budget of $60,000-$100,000 for student events, programs, and activities
- Directed all collegiate homecoming competitions and organized the homecoming parade
- Coordinated bi-annual SOLO events and concerts, managing a budget of approximately $150,000 per show.
Education
Ed.D. Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership
University of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY08.2018
Ed.S. Educational Psychology and Counselor Education -
Tennessee Tech University
Cookeville, TN05.2012
M.A. Educational Psychology and Counselor Education -
Tennessee Tech University
Cookeville, TN05.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN05.2003
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Rule Development & Policy
- Legal & Regulatory Compliance
- Coordination of Student Support Resources
- Strategic Planning & Assessment
- Risk & Threat Assessment
- Effective Communication
- Program Development & Evaluation
- Standards-Based Practice
- Conflict Resolution
Committees & Teams
- Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team, 2022 - Present
- Threat Assessment Team, 2022 - Present
- Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team, 2021- Present
- Preview Day Planning Committee, 2019 - Present
- Derryberry Award Selection Committee, 2018 - Present
- Coordinated Community Response Team, 2017 - Present
- Student-Athlete Appeals Committee, 2016 - Present
- Student Affairs Leadership Team, 2015- Present
- CARE Team (formerly BIT Team), 2015 - Present
- University Judicial Council, 2015 - Present
- Center Stage Committee, 2015 - Present
- Student Experience Task Force, 2022 - 2023
- Safety and Environmental Committee, 2019 - 2022
- Information Technology Committee, 2019 - 2022
- Building and Grounds Committee, 2019 - 2022
- Sustainable Campus Committee, 2016 - 2022
- Space Allocation Committee, 2015 - 2022
- Campus Space Utilization and Allocation Committee, 2015 - 2022
- Student Affairs Committee, 2012 - 2022
- Lighting the Quad Committee, 2017 - 2021
- Student Affairs Sub-Committee on Student Organizations, 2012 - 2017
- Centennial Committee, 2014 - 2016
- Centennial Charter Day Committee, 2014 - 2016
- Faculty Head Search Committee for Residential Villages, 2010 - 2011
- TN Tech Gubernatorial Debate Committee, 2010
- Leadership and Governance Committee for Residential Villages, 2009 - 2010
Professional Associations
- Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA), 2016-01-01, Present
- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), 2013-01-01, Present
Certification
2023 NASPA Certificate in Student Affairs Law and Policy - The only certificate offered in law and policy tailored specifically for student affairs educators. This 23-hour, intensive residential certificate provides an opportunity for in-depth study to enhance student affairs professionals' knowledge and understanding of law and policy. Completed the assessment following the program and achieved a score of “high competency," which is the highest evaluation score possible.
Timeline
Administrative Adjunct Instructor
Tennessee Tech University
08.2023 - 12.2023
Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Dean of Students
Tennessee Tech University
12.2021 - Current
Dean of Students
Tennessee Tech University
02.2017 - 11.2021
Director of Student Activities and Campus Life
Tennessee Tech University
07.2014 - 09.2015
Coordinator of Greek Life and University Programming
Tennessee Tech University
08.2005 - 06.2014
Ed.D. Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership
University of The Cumberlands
Ed.S. Educational Psychology and Counselor Education -
Tennessee Tech University
M.A. Educational Psychology and Counselor Education -
Tennessee Tech University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Tennessee
2023 NASPA Certificate in Student Affairs Law and Policy - The only certificate offered in law and policy tailored specifically for student affairs educators. This 23-hour, intensive residential certificate provides an opportunity for in-depth study to enhance student affairs professionals' knowledge and understanding of law and policy. Completed the assessment following the program and achieved a score of “high competency," which is the highest evaluation score possible.
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