News 2022: University welcomes two new Deans of Students
University welcomes two new Deans of Students

Dr. Kevin Hamilton was appointed Dean of Student Belonging, and Heather Quire was appointed Dean of Campus Life

AVC Candidates headshots
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Belonging Kevin Hamilton and Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Campus Life Heather Quire

On December 14, 2022, UMass Dartmouth announced the appointment of two new Associate Vice Chancellors and Deans of Students. Dr. Kevin Hamilton was appointed Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Belonging, and Heather Quire was appointed Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Campus Life.

The University began a search for one Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students, which yielded a very deep pool of highly qualified candidates. Due to a number of currently vacant positions in Student Affairs and very strong, positive feedback for multiple finalists, two seasoned student affairs professionals were hired.

As Dean of Student Belonging, Kevin will oversee the Office of Student Accessibility Services, the Center for Spiritual & Religious Life, the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality, the Frederick Douglass Unity House, and both undergraduate and graduate student government. Kevin most recently served as Associate Dean of Students for Housing and Residence Life and Civic Engagement at DePauw University in Indiana, where he oversees campus community development and civic engagement. Kevin has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, holding administrative positions at the University of Central Arkansas and Texas Tech University. As a first-generation college student, Kevin earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. As part of his doctoral dissertation, Kevin examined high-achieving African American male college student success at dominantly white institutions. Kevin will join UMass Dartmouth on February 6, 2023.

As Dean of Campus Life, Heather will oversee Housing & Residence Education, Student Conduct, Care & Advocacy, Counseling, Student Health Services, and Student Activities, Involvement, & Leadership (SAIL). Heather’s career in higher education has spanned a broad spectrum of student affairs responsibilities with a focus on residence life, student conduct, and student engagement. She most recently served as the Dean of Students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she oversees crisis management, the care team, strategic initiatives, and the planning and implementation of programming that engages students and contributes to their personal growth. She earned a Master’s of Science in Education degree with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. Heather will join UMass Dartmouth on January 3, 2023.