South SFV Today

Following a national search, Michele Rasmussen, the current dean of students at the University of Chicago, has been appointed vice provost for student affairs at Stanford University and will begin her role on September 10.

“We are delighted that Michele is going to join us at Stanford as our chief student affairs officer,” said Provost Jenny Martinez. “She brings a wealth of experience to the role, understanding the needs of both graduate and undergraduate students. At Chicago, she has led a high-functioning team to support students in campus life. Michele will be joining a team of dedicated professional staff here, and I can’t wait to see how she can bring that team together to ensure that Stanford students are able to make the most of their time on the Farm.”

As vice provost for student affairs, Rasmussen will work to provide support and opportunities for all students to flourish at Stanford. She will provide leadership to both undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and other university offices focused on student life and services.

“I am absolutely thrilled about joining the Stanford community. I am especially looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues across VPSA and building on the great foundation already in place to support students and help them attain their intellectual, professional, and personal goals,” Rasmussen said.

While at UChicago, Rasmussen led a comprehensive assessment of the university’s Housing and Residence Life program, which resulted in an updated staffing model now underway to meet the needs of current and future students. She has worked to enhance the university’s health and wellness services, with a particular focus on improving the physical infrastructure and staffing of wellness and mental health programs. She has also played a pivotal role in supporting UChicago’s “Chicago Principles,” a set of values outlining the university’s commitment to freedom of expression.

“Key to this work is fostering an environment that actively encourages and supports protest, demonstration, and dissent – all integral to a vibrant intellectual community – while ensuring that such expression does not chill, disrupt, or otherwise prevent others from presenting their ideas and viewpoints,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen holds a bachelor’s degree in history and art history from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a PhD in biological anthropology and anatomy from Duke University. Prior to her role at UChicago, she served as dean of the Undergraduate College at Bryn Mawr College. She previously served as an academic dean for Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where she directed the Academic Advising Center.

In her free time, Rasmussen loves to travel, alternating journeys home to New Zealand with adventures in sub-Saharan Africa. She plans to move to campus alongside her “two small dogs with big personalities” – Banksy, a Shih Tzu mix, and Biko, a chihuahua.

While at Duke, Rasmussen served as a faculty-in-residence where she hosted social events and engaged in late-night conversations with students over cookies and waffles.

“One of the major draws to this position is the opportunity to spend so much time on campus and experience Stanford day-in day-out as a residential member of the community,” she said.

Rasmussen assumes her new role following Susie Brubaker-Cole's departure at the end of fall quarter 2023. Matt Snipp has been serving as interim vice provost since January.

The search committee chaired by Martinez included faculty members, staffers, graduate and undergraduate students, along with an alum. The provost also convened a student advisory committee which held focus groups with students during the search process.

Rasmussen expressed eagerness about continuing VPSA’s mission: “Stanford is one of the world’s great universities...I also want to make sure that students have a rewarding...time at Stanford.”