MEET THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT SERVICES

Dr. Thomas B. Robinson

Dr. Robinson is in his year as Vice President for Student Services at Purdue University. He came to Purdue in 1998 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

As the Chief Student Affairs Officer of the University, Dr. Robinson is an advocate for students. Administratively, he is responsible for Enrollment Management, Student Support Services, Campus Life Initiatives, Leadership and Co-curricular Programs, programs supporting the Performing Arts at Purdue, the ROTC units, and Student Services Technology & Assessment. Reporting to the Provost, he serves on the President’s Cabinet and works closely with the academic deans and other senior officers of the University.

Dr. Robinson is committed to excellence and is actively engaged in helping students to have the best college experience possible. During his career, he has been the Chief Student Affairs Officer at seven colleges and universities. He has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Juniata College and earned his master’s degree and doctorate from Penn State University.

In addition to participating in campus activities on a regular basis, Dr. Robinson is active in national professional organizations. He is active in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Council on Student Affairs of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC). Presently, he is a member of the NASPA Journal Editorial Board and for four years he served as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Academy for Leadership and Executive Effectiveness of NASPA. From 1997-2000, he served as National Chair of the Health Education and Leadership Program (HELP) Senior Student Affairs Officers Work Group, sponsored by NASPA in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. HELP is aimed at making education for HIV prevention a high priority for college and university leaders and policy makers. Over the years he has also been involved in numerous community activities and agencies, including the United Way and the Y.M.C.A.

At Purdue, Dr. Robinson is Chair of the Purdue University Community Issues Team. He is an honorary member of Iron Key, Mortar Board, Alpha Lambda Delta, Golden Key National Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Tau Beta Sigma, and he serves as a Purdusire for the Purdue Varsity Glee Club.

He and his wife, Nancy, have two grown sons, Jeff and Matt, who live and work in San Diego, California.