Due to the creation of the Junior College in 1947, the State Teachers College at Towson (STC) decided to secure accreditation from the Middle States Association, which was brought in to study STC in 1949. Middle States recommended that administrative positions should be created at the College. The State Superintendent and Teachers College Presidents worked together to create the position of “Dean”, and the Board approved the motion to create two Dean positions at Towson in 1949; Dean of Students and Dean of Instruction.

At that point, Anita S. Dowell had been serving as “Assistant to the President”, a position created for her in 1923. Her title was changed to Dean of Students and she served in this role until 1953. Her successors and their titles are as follows:

1953 - 1970: Orrielle Murphy is Dean of Students During her tenure, she developed and served as Chair for the Student Life Council, a governing body which had representatives from divisions across campus who weighed in on all facets of student life.

She retired in August, but it wasn’t announced for a couple months, and she continues to be listed in the role through 1972. It is assumed her assistant, Francis LeMire, was serving in this capacity

1972 - 1974: C. Richard “Dick” Gillespie is first Vice President for Student Affairs with a slew of administrators.

1975 - 1995: Dorothy Siegel, Vice President for Student Services

1995 - 1996: Charles E. Malloy, Acting Vice President for Student Services

1996 - 1998: Charles E. Malloy, Acting Vice President for Student Life

1998 - 2002: Paul J. Parker, Vice President for Student Life

2002 - 2004: Paul J. Parker, Associate Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs

2005 - 2020: Debra Moriarty, Vice President for Student Affairs

2020 – Present: Vernon J. Hurte, Vice President for Student Affairs

In 2020, the Provost became the head of Student Affairs with a new title: Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Within this division are: Housing and Residence Life; Campus Life which oversees Events and Conference Services, Student Activities, New Student and Family Prorams, Campus Recreation, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the Towson Family Network; Career Services; as well as the Military and Veterans Center, Student Services at Towson University North East (TUNE), the Health Center, Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, the Counseling Center, Student Servies Programs, and Assessment, Evaluation, and Strategic Planning.

Mission: The Division of Student Affairs cultivates the educational, cultural, social and emotional development of students to become fully engaged leaders and citizens who demonstrate integrity.