Jeff’s Bio

Bio (300 words)

Jeff has been working at universities for over 30 years. He currently lives in Austin, Texas where he serves at the Executive Director for Student Support at the University of Texas. Jeff also consults with colleges on student success and advises 10 doctoral students on their dissertations/semester.

Before coming to Austin, Jeff was in Georgetown, Texas from 2024-2025 where he served as a Director in Student Life at Southwestern University. 

Before Southwestern, Jeff worked in 2023 as the Director of Student Success & Retention at Southern Methodist University. In this role, he studied factors that increased student success and helped SMU act on data and implement programs that improved student graduation. 

From 2010 to 2022, Jeff worked at Baylor University in Waco, TX. While at Baylor, he spent 9 years as the Dean for Student Learning & Engagement, where he led Campus Living & Learning (housing), New Student Programs, an academic Leadership Minor, Student Activities, Greek Life & Student Organizations, the Student Union, a performance hall, and university traditions (including 2 adult black bears!)

Jeff’s other 2.5 years at Baylor had him overseeing administrative planning, assessment, and outcomes for >75 departments while working in Institutional Effectiveness. He served as the point person for Baylor’s reaccreditation process (SACS). At Baylor, Jeff taught undergraduate and graduate courses on organizational behavior, leadership, and higher education management. 

Before Baylor, Jeff worked and taught at Appalachian State University, Shenandoah U., Florida State U., U. of Lynchburg, and Eastern Mennonite U.

Educationally, Jeff has a Ph.D. in higher education administration, a master’s degree in counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in biology, all from the University of Virginia (in Charlottesville).

In addition to his university work, Jeff has consulted part-time for Advisor AI to improve career and academic advising, led searchers for Higher Talent Executive Search, helped high schoolers as a College Admissions Coach for InGenius Prep, and assisted at the U.S. Government’s Federal Executive Institute.

In his spare time, Jeff enjoys being active, being outside, learning new things (podcasts, audiobooks, film) and spending time with loved ones.

Brief Bio (120 words)

Over 30 years of administrative leadership at variety of universities including U. of Virginia, Baylor U., and Appalachian State U.

Led projects related to organizational structure, administrative assessment, IT adoption, compliance, outsourcing, new construction & renovation, student success, and program evaluation/accreditation.

Taught >50 courses on organizational behavior, leadership, higher education administration, higher education finance & economics, and student success.

Ph.D. in higher education administration, master’s degree in counseling, and bachelor’s degree in biology, all at the U. of Virginia. Competed in men’s volleyball at UVA and consulted for U.S. Government on organizational effectiveness during doctorate.

Other institutional experiences include: Texas Christian U., Florida State U., Shenandoah U., Eastern Mennonite U., Liberty U., U. of Lynchburg, and Salisbury U. Eagle Scout, HS Valedictorian, and MVP of high school cross-country and swimming teams.