The five candidates chosen by the search committee for the vice chancellor of the Division of Student Affairs have been announced. Four external candidates and one internal candidate remain in the search.

The five candidates chosen by the committee are: David Belote (Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Tennessee at Martin), Dr. Melinda Dalgarn (President, College Survival Guides, LLC), Dr. Leroy Durant (Vice President for Student Development Services and Assistant Professor of Sociology/Criminal Justice (Claflin University), Dr. Gary Gaston (Vice Chancellor for Student Services, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton), and Dr. Deborrah Hebert (Dean of Student Life, Angelo State University).

Al Hooten, search committee chair and vice chancellor of Finance and Administration says that all five of these candidates will be interviewed in person before the search committee in April. Faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to attend forums with the candidates as well.

After interviewing before the search committee, two of the five candidates could be eliminated. “The chancellor wants us to recommend no fewer than three and no more than five candidates,” Hooten says.

Chancellor Nick Dunagan says that when he receives the search committees recommendations he will be looking for three important things.

“The number one thing is how this person relates to students. Secondly, I think we have a very talented student affairs staff, so I am looking for someone that is going to be able to support, lead, encourage and intensify the efforts of an already great staff. Thirdly, this person has to be someone that can relate well with me and the other members of my staff,” Dunagan says.

All of the candidates submitted information to the committee that described their philosophy on student affairs as well as their education and experience in student affairs positions.

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David Belote

Belote, who is serving his second term as interim vice chancellor at UTM says he has a passion for UTM. “Please know that I have a passion for the University of Tennessee at Martin; a passion for providing our students with opportunities to learn, grow and prosper; and a passion for the wonderful people who work at UTM,” Belote says in his letter to the search committee.

Belote has also worked at UTM in the positions of assistant vice chancellor of Student Affairs, director of Student Life, and director of Campus Recreation.

Download Belote's Application (PDF)

Dr. Melinda Dalgarn

Dalgarn has been the vice chancellor of student affairs at Mercer University, the associate dean of student affairs at Vanderbilt University and the interim executive director for the Center for Academic Integrity at Duke University. Currently, Dalgarn is the president of College Survival Guides, LLC in Kingston Springs, Tenn. She has written and developed two interactive CD’s aimed at assisting students and their parents as they transition through college.

Dalgarn says that learning through experience, a sense of belonging and working together is important. “I am a strong proponent of residential education, community development and a collaborative spirit,” Dalgarn says in her statement on her philosophy on student affairs.

Download Dalgarn's Application (PDF)

Dr. Leroy Durant

Durant is currently the vice president for Student Development Services and assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at Claflin University. Previously, Durant has been the vice president of Student Life at Jackson State University, and the dean of students at Grambling State University.

Durant’s philosophy on student affairs talks a lot about student affairs and academic affairs. “Uniting student affairs and academic affairs will ensure the fulfillment of the institution’s mission, improved retention, and would improve the total college experience for students,” Durant says.

Download Durant's Application (PDF)

Dr. Gary Gaston

Gaston currently works as the vice chancellor for student services at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. In the past he has served as vice chancellor for student services at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and as the assistant dean of students at Radford University. Gaston says that student affairs should focus on the individual.

“While education today has the face of institutions, universities and public school systems, education is about individuals. Education is the conscious and organized effort to stimulate, support and encourage positive growth and development in individuals,” Gaston says.

Download Gaston's Application (PDF)

Dr. Deborrah Hebert

Hebert is currently the dean of student life at Angelo State University. She has also worked as the assistant dean of student life at Southeastern Louisiana University and as the director of student services at Longwood College.

“My student affairs philosophy statement is the education of the whole student is crucial and that all members of the campus community must work collaboratively to create a learning environment which provides each student with opportunities for this holistic education and enables each student to achieve his/her full potential,” Hebert says.

Download Hebert's Application (PDF)