Sylvia D. Griffin
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Strategic Higher Education Leader with 15+ years of experience driving institutional partnerships, student success initiatives, and operational excellence within higher education. Proven track record in building and sustaining partnerships with universities, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Visionary strategist recognized nationally for advancing first-generation student success and leading cross-functional teams to deliver measurable impact.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Dean of Students
Spelman College
Atlanta, USA
03.2023 - Current
- Lead college-wide strategic planning initiatives aligning Student Affairs with Spelman’s mission.
- Develop and implement multi-year strategic plans and operational frameworks for student success.
- Partner with Finance and Administration on strategic space planning and operational alignment.
- Oversee data-driven assessment to enhance engagement and persistence outcomes.
Assistant Dean of Students
Spelman College
Atlanta, USA
07.2018 - 03.2023
Director of Student Life & Engagement
Spelman College
Atlanta, USA
08.2013 - 07.2018
Program Coordinator
Spelman College
Atlanta, USA
06.2008 - 08.2013
Education
Ph.D. - Urban Higher Education: Higher Education Administration
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS07.2023
Master of Business Administration - Concentration: Human Resources
Keller Graduate School of Management
Atlanta, GA10.2012
B.S. - Technical Management
DeVry University
Atlanta, GA10.2010
Skills
- Strategic Visioning & Execution
- Higher Education Partnerships
- Recruitment & Retention Strategy
- Leadership Coaching
- Data-Informed Decision-Making
- External Affairs & Representation
Certification
- Title IX Hearing Officer & Decision Maker
- Justice Center of Atlanta – Basic Mediation Training (2019)
- SafeZone LGBTQ+ Ally Training
- NASPA Mid-Level Administrator Steering Committee (2024 - present)
- Stetson Higher Education Law Conference & Title IX Bootcamp (2025)
- NASPA Higher Education Law & Policy Certification (2025)
- National Conference on Race & Ethnicity (NCORE) (2025)
- D. Gehring Academy for Student Conduct Administration (2025)
Accomplishments
- Developed Spelman’s first-year orientation framework for first-generation students, improving persistence metrics.
- Recipient, Circle of Change First-Generation Student Champion Award (2024).
- National Presenter, NASPA (2018–2024) on First-Generation Success and Diversity in HBCUs.
- Published Author: 'The Persistence of First-Generation African American Female Students at Private HBCUs' (ASSRJ, 2023).
Awards
- Retention and Persistence Laurels – ACS (2024)
- Circle of Change First-Generation Student Champion Award (2024)
- Ford First-Generation Advisor of the Year (2024)
Key Strengths And Expertise
- Strategic Visioning & Execution
- Higher Education Partnerships
- Recruitment & Retention Strategy
- Leadership Coaching
- Data-Informed Decision-Making
- External Affairs & Representation
Memberships And Service
- Southern Association for College Student Affairs (ACS)
- Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Spelman College Institutional Review Board Committee (IRB)
- Co-Curricular Director, Ford First-Generation Scholars Program
- Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation Team (CARE)
Timeline
Dean of Students
Spelman College
03.2023 - Current
Assistant Dean of Students
Spelman College
07.2018 - 03.2023
Director of Student Life & Engagement
Spelman College
08.2013 - 07.2018
Program Coordinator
Spelman College
06.2008 - 08.2013
Ph.D. - Urban Higher Education: Higher Education Administration
Jackson State University
Master of Business Administration - Concentration: Human Resources
Keller Graduate School of Management
B.S. - Technical Management
DeVry University