Staff
-
Assoc. Vice President & Dean of Students Advocacy
Gabe Willis, Ph.D.
willisg@vcu.edu
Monroe Park Campus, (804) 828-8940At VCU, Dr. Willis serves as the Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Advocacy within the Division for Student Affairs. He is responsible for leading and supervising the following units: Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Hazing Prevention, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Family Programs, and our brand-new Office of Student Advocacy.
The Dean of Student Advocacy Office supports the overarching mission of the Division for Student Affairs to foster students’ intellectual, social, emotional, cultural, and personal growth toward their full potential. We are also dedicated to a high level of approachability, visibility and responsiveness. The Dean of Students is a resource for all undergraduate, graduate and professional students at VCU.
Dr. Willis brings nearly 15 years of higher education experience, marked by his expertise in behavioral intervention, student conduct, student advocacy, and Title IX Compliance. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a keen understanding of the intricacies of student affairs, driving positive change and innovation in various roles.
Please follow the Division for Student Affairs on the following social media platforms:
Twitter. @VCUdsa
Instagram: @vcudsa
Go Rams! -
Administrative Coordinator
Candyce Brown
cabrown3@vcu.edu
(804) 828-8940 -
Director, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Karen Belanger
-
Associate Dean for Families and Family Programs
Lynanne Jamison, Ed.D.
Dr. Jamison supports families by providing advocacy, communications, programming and resources that help them become informed partners in their student's success and engaged members of the university community. She works with families at all stages of the student life-cycle from pre-enrollment to commencement and collaborates with partners on and off campus to provide signature experiences for families such as Family Weekend, Family Council, and RAMily Reunion. She also curates resources for parenting and caregiving students to help them balance their family responsibilities with academic pursuits and supports students seeking assistance from the Dean of Student Advocacy Office.
-
Assistant Director for Student Support
Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth, M. Ed.
Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth has 20 years experience. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Education from James Madison University. She has worked at a number of institutions across the Commonwealth and abroad, and in a variety of offices including Institutional Research, Libraries & Educational Technologies, Residential Life, Community Service Learning, Judicial Affairs, and Off Campus Life.
She has overseen VCU's Ram Pantry since 2017, when the service transitioned from being a student organization into a service provided by the institution. With potentially over 30% of VCU students experiencing food insecurity, the Pantry meets their needs by providing emergency donated food to students. Since 2017, the pantry has served over 3000 students with an average of 100 students a week. Lisa has been innovative by establishing the Surplus program to reduce food waste and the stigma associated with seeking assistance. The program provides excess produce and bread to the VCU community regardless of financial need. In addition, she oversees the Division of Student Affairs' Emergency Funds and assists students with their housing and other financial needs.
lmathewsails@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4514 -
Hazing Prevention Coordinator
Rachael Tully, MA
-
Associate Dean of Students
Shelley Wald, M.Ed.
-
Director, Fraternity and Sorority Life
Joe Wheeless