Mount St. Mary’s University has hired Levi Esses as dean of students. Esses, who started at the Mount June 3, will manage the Mount’s student life services, including the offices of residence life, campus activities, outdoor adventures and campus recreation, as the university relentlessly pursues student success built on the foundation of a positive student life culture. He most recently served as associate director of new student services at Kansas State University.
As the former dean of students at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, Esses supported the student body in the establishment of the inaugural Black Student Union. Prior to coming to the Mount, Esses was responsible for coordinating on-campus visits for potential new students and their families at K-State. He also supported new student orientation and enrollment programs and activities. Esses previously served at Bethany College as associate dean of student development and director of first-year initiatives where he supervised orientation programming and campus wide first-year initiatives. In all of his prior roles, he has demonstrated his passion for building community within the student body and the larger campus community.
“As a Roman Catholic, and as a student affairs professional, I believe in community—a community that is welcoming, safe, loving and supportive. A community that seeks the common good of all its people. A respectful community where members are not afraid to voice their opinions and truths. A community that comes together, and prays together,” Esses said. “As a Catholic institution, we should strive to foster these characteristics.”
“Levi brings a desire to promote and support students as well as high energy and passion to our community,” said Vice President for Student Life Bernard Franklin, Ph.D. “His commitment of serving all students, including those who do not always have a voice, is exactly the level of dedication and commitment the Mount seeks for those who serve our students.”
Esses holds a bachelor of arts in secondary math education from Bethany College, a master of education in sport administration from Wichita State University and a doctor of education in organizational leadership with emphasis in higher education leadership from Grand Canyon University.