With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Terree Stevenson said she is always inspired by students’ resilience. She loves working with, learning from, advocating for and growing with students. Stevenson was appointed the new dean of students at Fresno State by Dr. Kent Willis, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, effective Sept. 1.
Stevenson succeeds Dr. Carolyn Coon, who served as dean of students from 2005 until her retirement in 2022 – including additional responsibilities as interim vice president of student affairs and enrollment management from 2019-22.
Stevenson will oversee several departments, including Student Rights and Responsibilities, Essential Needs, Services for Students with Disabilities, Student Involvement and the Student Recreation Center.
Born and raised in Ohio, Stevenson holds a master’s degree in education (higher education administration and student development) from Wright State University. She earned her bachelor’s in economic management and Black world studies from Ohio Wesleyan University.
Stevenson’s career in higher education began at Ohio Dominican University, where she worked in residence life. She said, “After my first year in higher education, I knew I found my calling.”
Since beginning her career, Stevenson has served in various capacities, including leading offices in the areas of leadership and engagement, and diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. She has also supervised counseling services, career services and disability services, among other departments and programs.
Stevenson has also been invited to be a keynote speaker and panelist at a number of professional conferences, including the National Black Greek Leadership Conference and the National Conference on Race, Diversity and Learning. At these conferences, she’s addressed topics of leadership, engagement, student development theory and belonging.
Additionally, Stevenson has served as an adviser for student organizations, including the Natural Hair Club at Central State University.
Since 2018, Stevenson served as the dean of students at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. In this role, Stevenson “[strived] to create an inclusive environment…and enhance students’ ability to become responsible, contributing members of our global society.”
Stevenson also worked to change the stigma surrounding her position, noting she didn’t want students to see the dean of students solely as a disciplinarian.
“I wanted students to see the office of the dean of students as a resource, a safe space, a shelter, a harbor.”
Throughout her career, Stevenson has had the opportunity to connect with students on a personal level, seeing them through hardships and into success.
She recalled students who shared with her their struggles of homelessness and losing all of their personal belongings; students who napped in her office in between classes when they did not have a safe place in their own house.
She said, “I appreciate their openness and vulnerability…a student’s story is always deeper than what you see [at the front]… To witness their personal and academic transformation is a privilege, and to be part of their process is an honor.”
With the care for students at the center and heart of her work, Stevenson was excited to join the team at Fresno State. She said, “Fresno State has so much to offer in terms of opportunities and support for students. I want to be part of a community that puts students first.”
