Lori S. White, who has held student affairs positions at the University of Southern California, Stanford University and Georgetown University, has been named vice president for student affairs at SMU, effective June 1. She currently serves as associate vice president for student affairs at USC. White succeeds James E. Caswell (’63, ’66, ’70), who is retiring after 40 years of service to the University.
Lori S. White
“The quality of the campus experience is one of SMU’s greatest strengths in recruiting and retaining students,” says President R. Gerald Turner. “Lori White is the perfect choice to build on that quality and keep us up-to-date in our development of students for leadership now and after graduation.”
At SMU White will be responsible for student life programs including residence halls; student activities such as women’s, multicultural, volunteer and leadership programs; judicial affairs; campus ministries; health and wellness programs; career services; the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports.
She also will have an adjunct faculty appointment in SMU’s School of Education and Human Development.
“SMU has great students and strong leadership and is poised to become one of the premier institutions of the 21st century,” White says. “I look forward to working with members of the SMU and Dallas communities to continue to attract the best and brightest students to the University.”
At USC White supervises a staff of 70 and manages a $7 million budget. She also holds a faculty position at USC as associate clinical professor in the Rossier School of Education. An active researcher, she has presented more than 50 papers at professional conferences.
A native of the San Francisco Bay area, White earned her A.B. degree in psychology and English from the University of California and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in education administration and policy analysis, with emphasis in higher education. She also participated in Harvard University’s Management and Leadership in Education Program.
White has been active in community and professional activities, serving in leadership positions with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. She also has served as founding president of the Stanford Black Alumni Club of San Diego and as a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
For more information: smu.edu/newsinfo.