Announcement: Interim VC of Student Affairs and Interim AVC for RSSP

October 4, 2016

The following message was sent to the campus on October 4th, 2016:

Dear Campus Community, 

I am delighted to announce that Stephen C. Sutton, Ed.D., has agreed to serve as Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, effective January 1, 2017. He will replace Harry LeGrande, who is retiring after more than 35 years at UC Berkeley. Steve currently serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for Residential & Student Service Programs (RSSP). In his stead, we are announcing that David A. Surratt, Ed.D., has agreed to serve as Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for RSSP. David is currently the Associate Dean of Students. 

Both Steve and David have demonstrated leadership in their roles, advocating for students; operationalizing policies with academic colleagues; and providing the programs, services, and support students need to succeed at Berkeley and beyond.

Steve started his Student Affairs career at Berkeley in 1987 when he served as a Residential Life Coordinator, working directly with students, residential advisors, and Hall Coordinators. He then worked at universities in Florida and Texas in a variety of capacities including student activities, student union management, Dean of Students, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He returned to RSSP at Berkeley in 2009, serving in a variety of leadership roles. 

Steve completed his doctorate in education at the University of Houston having studied the retention of students enrolled in web-enhanced classes. His passion for education and Student Affairs continues as a charter faculty member of the Student Affairs certificate program offered through Berkeley Extension. Steve is also serving a two-year term as president of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Foundation, helping to advance Student Affairs professionals nationally.

David joined Berkeley in 2013 and served as Interim Dean of Students during the 2013-14 academic year. Prior to joining Berkeley, David served as the Dean of Students at Rosemont College near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he maintained oversight of all student life for the college including residence life, athletics, student activities, orientation, counseling services, health services, judicial affairs, and disability services. He previously served as a Director of Residence Life at Saint Peter’s University and Assistant Director of Student Affairs at Pennsylvania State University, where he also held other student service roles. David began his career as a Residential Director at the University of Oklahoma. 

David holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University and a master's degree in Human Relations with emphases in organizational development and multicultural relations from University of Oklahoma. He is a member of several professional and social organizations including American College Personnel Association (ACPA), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Association for Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA), Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO), and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. 

Please join me in welcoming Steve and David to their interim roles and thanking them for their continued dedication to our students and to our university. 

Best regards,

Nicholas Dirks
Chancellor