Donell Young to join UH as associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students

DSAES News
July 21, 2022

Donell Young, a distinguished career educator with more than 19 years of higher education experience, will be joining the University of Houston’s Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services. Young will be the new associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, taking over for Dr. William Munson, who is retiring after 35 years of service at UH.

Young has been the assistant vice-chancellor of the University of Missouri’s Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity since 2016. He will join UH on August 3, 2020.

“I am honored and thrilled to join the University of Houston community to serve as the new associate vice president and dean of students,” Young said. “My entire professional career has been devoted to student success and student development, and I am committed to serving the students and the university community to the best of my ability. I am intrigued by the opportunity to further impact students’ lives.”

Dr. Richard Walker, vice president of UH’s Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, said he is confident Young will bring a fresh perspective to the division’s strategic vision. “Dr. Munson has had a tremendous impact on the UH community during his time as associate vice president and dean of students,” Walker said. “We are all sad to lose his leadership and experience but congratulate him on his well-earned retirement.

“I’m happy that Donell has decided to join our team. His background and expertise over the past two decades proves he has the dedication and commitment to student success,” Walker said. “I’m excited to see what initiatives Donell will put into action.”

In his new job at UH, Young will oversee the Dean of Students Office, Children’s Learning Center, Veteran Services, Women and Gender Resource Center, International Student and Scholar Services, Student Conduct, Student Advocacy Services, UH Student Handbook, Parent and Family Programs, Commuter Student Services and the Student Fee Advisory Committee.

Young earned an associate degree from Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, then a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Lincoln University, where he also earned a master’s degree in criminal justice and sociology in 2001. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri’s School of Law in 2015.

Young began his career in higher education in 2001 as a coordinator in Lincoln University’s Division of Student Affairs before joining the staff at the University of Missouri as a senior coordinator in its Office of Student Conduct in 2004. Promoted in 2013 to assistant director of the Division of Student Affairs/Department of Student Life, Young then became director of the MU Division of Undergraduate Studies and eLearning in 2015. Since February 2016, he has also served as assistant vice-chancellor, overseeing two dozen staff focused on student success and engagement, as well as numerous other departments.

Over his career, Young has been recognized with numerous honors, including winning the “Mizzou 39 Advisor Award” five times, and the Student Affairs Outstanding Services to Our Campus and Community Award twice. He is a member of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Campus Training and Technical Assistance Institute for Sexual Assault Prevention, and the Association of Student Conduct Administration.