Dr. Benjamin Stubbs named as new Maryville College vice president, dean of students
Aug. 26, 2024
Following a national search that began in June and involved a representative committee of 12 Maryville College faculty, staff, students and board members, Dr. Benjamin B. Stubbs has been named the College’s next vice president and dean of students. Currently serving as the assistant vice president for student engagement at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Stubbs will begin his new role in Maryville on Sept. 23.
“During this search process, Dr. Stubbs quickly emerged as a standout in a robust pool of candidates,” wrote Dr. Bryan F. Coker, Maryville College president, in an email to campus on Aug. 26. “He brings a diverse and wide-ranging set of experiences to the vice president and dean of students role, covering the spectrum of student affairs functions.”
Those functions — of which Stubbs has provided leadership — include student activities and organizations, community service and volunteerism, off-campus and commuter student services, student conduct, fraternity and sorority life and family programming. At Tennessee Tech, he has led the university’s Center for Student Engagement and served as a member of Tech’s Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team. He has also served as interim executive director of university housing and residential life.
At Maryville College, Stubbs will serve on the President’s Cabinet and provide leadership for the Division of Student Affairs, which is among the College’s largest divisions. It encompasses residence life, student organizations and programming, campus ministry, counseling, food services, community engagement, disability resources, belonging initiatives, Title IX, veteran services and wellness.
At the outset of the vice president and dean of students search, Coker said the position would be an important hire for the Division of Student Affairs and the College. “As specified in the position description, we are seeking a seasoned student affairs educator with prior success and senior-level experience in college/university student affairs,” he wrote in a June 14 message to the campus. In the Aug. 26 email, the president stated that the search committee and others who participated in interviews determined that Stubbs more than met the criteria — and that campus community members found him to be a “highly experienced, strategic and thoughtful leader.”
“He is excited to join MC at a momentous time and sees the incredible potential for student life at the College,” the president added. “He understands the importance of the vice president and dean of students role at a small college … I know you will all join me in warmly welcoming Dr. Stubbs and his family to the MC community this fall.”
Education and work experience from UWF and UTK
Stubbs holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of West Florida, and a master’s degree in college student personnel and Ph.D. in higher education administration, both from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. His dissertation earned “Dissertation of the Year” honors by the Southern Association for College Student Affairs in 2014.
Prior to joining the administration at Tennessee Tech in 2022, Stubbs served in student affairs at the University of West Florida and at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. At UWF from 2011 until 2022, he held seven different titles and oversaw various areas related to student involvement and retention, including renovation and construction projects of UWF’s University Commons. The UWF Alumni Association presented him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2020 and its Nautilus Excellence Award in 2017.
At UTK from 2004 until 2011, he was employed in the recreational sports area, as assistant director for programs and assessment and sport clubs program director.