Dean of Students

Kathleen N. McMahon, Ed.D, joined Cal Poly as Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students in February 2016. She is a 25-year veteran of higher education teaching and administration, who most recently came from her position as  associate vice president for student life and Title IX coordinator for Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.. In her new role, she will assume responsibility and management of all departments within the Dean of Students office, which include the Center for Leadership and Service, Cross Cultural Centers, Center for Service In Action, Clubs and Club Sports, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the Safer program (which focuses on sexual assault prevention). Kathleen also serves as the point of contact for all crisis intervention with students and represent the university at select governance meetings, on campus and in the community.

Dean McMahon’s career has included a wide range of administrative and academic experience. She has taught in higher education, written several published articles and given presentations within her field of expertise. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Boston College, where she also completed coursework in human development and education. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA, where she also served as associate dean of students for seven years. Her doctoral research focused on leadership development among female college students.

Kathleen is joined by her husband, Thom, and two children, Grayson (15) and Bayley (13), and can often be seen running in Poly Canyon or hiking the local mountains.

If you have a concern or a suggestion, feel free to  email Dean McMahon at deanofstudents@calpoly.edu to schedule a time to meet.

Kathleen McMahon
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Building 81, Room 5
deanofstudents@calpoly.edu
805.756.0327

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