New Director for Center for Student Involvement Announced

DSAES News
July 21, 2022

January 5, 2015 – Dr. Tina Powellson will join the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services as the director for the Center for Student Involvement effective today, January 5, 2015. The Center for Student Involvement serves as a catalyst for student development by fostering a learning environment that empowers students to engage and participate in a diverse array of enriching opportunities in relations to major campus events and student-led programming initiatives; support, guidance and management of registered student organizations; and campus-wide leadership and civic engagement centered around synergistic partnerships within campus, local and global community.

As the director for the Center for Student Involvement, Dr. Powellson will provide leadership, strategic vision, organization and administrative oversight of campus-wide programs and services partnering with departments and student organizations in the following areas: direction, advising and management for major campus events and student-led programming initiatives; support and guidance of an effective approach to Registered Student Organizations (RSO); and campus-wide programs and education in the leadership development and civic engagement opportunities. In addition, she will create and engage strategic partnerships (student organizations, campus departments, faculty, staff, students and alumni) that create a greater variety of student involvement initiatives that focus on the development of a vibrant campus life and positively impact student retention and graduation rates; manage budgets for the Center for Student Involvement and the fee-funded student organizations (Activities Funding Board, Council of Ethnic Organizations, Frontier Fiesta Association, Homecoming Board, Student Program Board) that are advised by the Center for Student Involvement; and develop and implement a system of qualitative and quantitative indicators used to assess and evaluate program effectiveness.

Dr. Powellson brings more than 11 years of experience in student affairs and student activities work to the position. She has previously served as the executive director for the Office of Student Activities and Fraternity and Sorority Life (April 2013 - October 2014) and the director for the Office of Student Activities at Georgia Southern University. At Georgia Southern, she led the operations and development of the three functional areas of the Russell Student Union, Williams Center Student Organization Center, University Programming Board, 300+ active student organizations, other activities and programs. She also implemented a comprehensive learning and development plan and experience of students, leaders, organizations, and advisors; created an experience for student organizations, individual leadership, and general support for involvement; advised the major campus programming of the University Programming Board; managed the Weeks of Welcome, which has ranged from four to six weeks, 16 collaborative partners, approximately 100 events, and overall assessment based on outcomes; coordinated the management of the cheerleading and mascot program, including tryouts, spirit programming, fundraising, and operations; led and engaged in strategic planning initiatives based on learning outcomes, assessment, and defined timeline, including mission, vision, and goals built on evidence-based decision-making practices; and built partnerships across campus in collaborative efforts to support student involvement, programming and the academic mission. Prior to her work at Georgia Southern University, she served as the associate director of the Office of Student Involvement (July 2010-July 2011), associate director of Leadership Development (July 2007-July 2010) and assistant director of Civic Leadership Development (August 2006-July 2007) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI); and assistant director of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs (July 2003-July 2006) at Butler University.

Dr. Powellson has an earned Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology from Texas A&M University. She is an active member of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National Clearinghouse of Leadership Programs (NCLP), and the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA).

“Tina brings a great vision and a proven track record in developing programs, services and partnerships related to student involvement and student engagement at large, public and urban universities. Her background and experience will be invaluable as we build the Center for Student Involvement into a nationally known program that serves as a catalyst for student engagement at the University of Houston, while bringing a student-centered approach to working with students and student organizations in their pursuit of student success,” said Keith T. Kowalka, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, UH.

Please join the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services in welcoming Dr. Powellson to the University of Houston.