May 30, 2024 — Following a comprehensive national search, Marist College announced today the appointment of Andrea Conner as its new Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA), effective Aug. 1.

Andrea comes to Marist with 23 years of experience in student affairs roles of increasing responsibility, including the last 10 in the most senior student affairs role at her institutions. She has a proven track record leading comprehensive programs that elevate the student experience and support student success. 

As VPSA, Andrea will report to President Kevin Weinman and serve on both the President’s Advisory Council and Cabinet, ensuring student success and excellent student experiences inform institutional planning, decision-making, and initiatives. 

“Andrea joins Marist at a pivotal time,” President Weinman said. “Our strategic plan, Marist 100, released last year, centers the student in all that we do, in and out of the classroom.  I’m confident Andrea’s vision, deep professional experience, and lifelong commitment to equity and opportunity will help us build upon the work of our dedicated, skilled professionals in Student Affairs and greatly enhance how we support the holistic well-being and intellectual growth of our students.” 

Having worked at several residential liberal arts colleges, Andrea brings to Marist a strong background in institutional leadership and vision, strategic thinking, empathetic communication skills, student-centric advocacy, and the ability to build relationships across campus constituencies. 

“I am honored and excited to be selected for this role and to be joining Marist at a time when the College is focused on ensuring that students thrive and belong by enhancing student support,” Conner said. “In collaboration with College leadership and the Student Affairs team, I'm excited to contribute to the Marist 100 strategic plan and our shared vision for an inclusive campus community where students meet their personal and academic goals. I look forward to working hard on behalf of the students and becoming part of the fabric of Marist.”

Andrea currently serves as Interim Senior Student Affairs Officer at Coe College in Iowa, a private liberal arts institution – and her alma mater – where she supervises Residence Life, Campus Life, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Chaplain, Health and Wellness, Student Conduct, and Title IX.

As the former Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill., she partnered with the provost, faculty, and Center for Academic Success to foster a seamless learning environment and successfully advocated for programs and resources to help support student well-being.

Prior to her time at Lake Forest, she served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Grinnell College, the most senior student affairs role at one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. There, she supported the college’s mission of educating a self-governing community of dynamic, social justice-minded students and led initiatives related to student learning, the first-year experience, gender-inclusive housing and the LGBT experience on campus, and equity.

Andrea holds a master’s degree in education from Iowa State University and a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in theater from Coe College. This summer, she will relocate to the Hudson Valley from the Chicago area in advance of beginning her work at Marist.

The VPSA search was conducted by a campus-wide committee co-chaired by Sima Saran Ahuja, General Counsel, and Edward Antonio, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and involved a combination of students, faculty, staff, and trustees. This new VPSA appointment follows the recent retirement of Deborah DiCaprio, who dedicated 40 years of service to the College.

Learn more at Marist.edu.