Dr. Susan R. Komives

Professor, College Student Personnel Program
Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland

Educational Background:

University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Ed. D., 1973
Educational Administration and Supervision

Florida State University, M.S., 1969
Higher Education - Student Personnel Administration

Florida State University B.S., 1968
Mathematics Major; Chemistry Minor

By Aurelio Manuel Valente, Aug. 2007

As a result of her distinguished career as both a scholar and a practitioner, Dr. Susan Komives stands out among the many notable alumni of Florida State’s Higher Education program. In addition to her twenty-year tenure as a faculty member at the University of Maryland’s College Student Personnel program, Dr. Komives’ scholarly contributions include six books in which she was the co-author and co-editor, 25 book chapters, and numerous refereed articles, monographs and book reviews. Her service to the profession includes scores of regional and national presentations, consultations, and membership in several editorial boards. Her leadership in professional organizations includes serving as president of ACPA, co-founder of the National Clearinghouse on Leadership Programs, and a recent election as president of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), a term that will continue until 2012.

When she was looking at colleges to attend, Dr. Komives was told by her father that she “could go anywhere in Florida, as long as it was either UF or FSU.” Exhibiting great decision making skills at an early age, she headed to FSU in 1964, although having lived in Vero Beach, she was a bit nervous about how cold Tallahassee would be. As a self described “continuer,” her undergraduate career consisted of a full compliment of activities including serving as a freshmen class Senator representing the residence halls, appointment as a Resident Assistant (then called a Junior Counselor), member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, member of the Motor Board and of the President’s Advisory Board. Personally, her college experience was heavily influenced by women’s issues at a time when FSU had differing practices for men and women, including a dress policy and curfew for women, but not one for men.

Spurred by initiatives promoting women in science, Dr. Komives earned a Bachelor of Science in Math and Chemistry. However career options for women in science at the time were limited to education or actuarial science. As she examined graduate education options, Dr. Komives reflected on a “group dynamics and leadership” course she took as a senior in the College of Education that “truly expanded [her] mind.” As a result, she met with her instructor for advice about graduate degree options and had an “a-ha” moment when she realized she could actually work in college student personnel. When probed if she enjoyed teaching or the process of education, she was referred to FSU’s graduate program. In seeking more information, she met with a woman for an informational interview. Later she realized it was Dr. Hardee and the informational meeting was actually her graduate admissions interview.

After graduating with her undergraduate degree in 1968, Dr. Komives enrolled in what was an intensive one year program at FSU that she described as “exceptionally rigorous.” Dr. Komives recalls Dr. Hardee as someone who was “cutting edge and future-oriented” and who would often have her students read drafts of important national reports before they were widely available. In addition to Dr. Hardee’s guidance, Dr. Komives benefited from the mentorship of doctoral students such as Annette Gibbs, Fred Badders, and Emma Schulken, all of whom went on to accomplished careers in higher education. Dr. Komives places her graduate experience at FSU in the context of an evolving profession, as she noted, “this was a year before Arthur Chickering would publish his seven vectors of student development” in the first edition of Education and Identity.

Dr. Komives remembers Dr. Hardee encouraging her students “not to be shy” and take a stand when they believed strongly in something. Dr. Komives recounted experiences when Dr. Hardee boycotted the APGA conference because it was held in Las Vegas and felt that the location would detract from the educational and professional experience. In another example of Dr. Hardee’s conviction, she recounted the time that Dr. Hardee voiced her dissatisfaction that the association’s President’s Address was closed to those who attended a luncheon and felt the address should be open to any of the organization’s members. Dr. Komives recalled the many “wonderful classroom experiences” that she now understands were “well constructed learning exercises,” practices she emulates in her classroom to this day. Dr. Komives also traces her value for how important it is that student affairs departments collaborate with graduate programs to her own experience at FSU.

Shortly after graduating with her Masters degree from FSU, Dr. Komives was married and served as an area coordinator at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In an effort to support a colleague, she joined him in registering for a doctoral level course in January of 1970. While he never completed his degree, she earned her Doctorate of Education in three years, all while working full-time and being promoted three times. Ultimately she served as Acting Director of Residence Life before accepting a position as Associate Dean of Students at Denison University. At Denison, she was the first person to serve in the role of Dean by function and not gender; previously individuals served as either Dean of Men or Women. Dr. Komives was also the first individual to supervise functional areas that included Student Activities, Housing and Greek Life. Dr. Komives proudly states that she was the “direct beneficiary” of the women’s movement in the development of her career. At the age of 32, she became Vice President and Dean of Student Life at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, an all women’s institution, where coincidentally Dr. Hardee had previously served as chair of faculty advising.

It was during her tenure at Stephens College that Dr. Komives also served as President of the America College Personnel Association from 1982-83, while she was pregnant with her first child. During this busy time, Dr. Komives jokes that her “plants died and house was never clean,” but recalls her achievements in helping establish the Senior Scholars program, supporting the development of a theory and research board and working with ACPA’s then parent organization American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA).

After leaving Stephens College in 1985, Dr. Komives also served as Vice President for Student Development at the University of Tampa. Her professional experiences at small private institutions provided her with an appreciation for a student’s development and growth during the college years. At a small college, it was easier to work with students holistically compared to her experiences at larger institutions. Dr. Komives stated, “you could meet with a freshmen for a disciplinary hearing, and have that same student be a leader in student government their senior year.” Dr. Komives continues, “for a young professional, it was easier to build your own reputation and credibility that allowed you to get things done.”

In examining her next step, Dr. Komives explored faculty positions, having “always been drawn to ideas and learning.” She began working at the University of Maryland in 1987, where she continues to teach today. During her time at Maryland she served as acting Department Chair and the program director for the College Student Personnel Program and supervised the work of 27 Master’s theses committees, 32 Master’s papers and chaired 24 Doctoral dissertation committees. In recognition of her work, Dr. Komives was recently recognized with The Excellence in Teaching Award (2006) by the university; Outstanding Mentor to Graduate Student Award (2006) by the Committee on Graduate Students and New Professionals, ACPA-College Student Educators International; and The Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member (2004) by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. In 2006 she became the only person concurrently to receive the Contribution to Knowledge Awards by both ACPA and NASPA.

In her current role as President-Elect of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), Dr. Komives is eager to promote the work of the 37 CAS member organizations to advance institutional effectiveness, student learning, outcomes assessment, accountability, and quality assurance. Upcoming plans include a focus on the “application” on using the standards as benchmarks for developing and refining learning outcomes. While there have been conversations about the accreditation of student affairs as a profession, Dr. Komives believes that should not be the purview of CAS. Dr. Komives suggests that “much like Counseling Centers and College Health Centers, if accreditation is advanced, it should be advanced by individual professional associations.”

To ensure a long and rewarding career in higher education, Dr. Komives has three recommendations to her students, and readers of the LifeNet. First and foremost, she encourages everyone to be dual-centered and balance professional ambitions with care for family and partners. Secondly, she encourages everyone to recognize the difference between career and professional development. While it is important to develop your career by building new skills and enhancing your areas of expertise, it is just as important to provide leadership in our profession by advancing principles of social justice, access and opportunity. Lastly, Dr. Komives encourages everyone to advance our field at both the local and national level through leadership in professional organization and advancing policies and programs that promote higher education.

Dr. Komives is married to artist, Ralph Komives. She is the mother to Air Force Lt. Jeffrey Komives and step-mother to Rachel Hanson and proud grandmother of Mary (8) and Molly (6).


				Dr. Susan R. Komives Professor, College Student Personnel Program Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland Educational Background: University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Ed. D., 1973 Educational Administration and Supervision Florida State University, M.S., 1969 Higher Education - Student Personnel Administration Florida State University B.S., 1968 Mathematics Major; Chemistry Minor ## By Aurelio Manuel Valente, Aug. 2007 As a result of her distinguished career as both a scholar and a practitioner, Dr. Susan Komives stands out among the many notable alumni of Florida State’s Higher Education program. In addition to her twenty-year tenure as a faculty member at the University of Maryland’s College Student Personnel program, Dr. Komives’ scholarly contributions include six books in which she was the co-author and co-editor, 25 book chapters, and numerous refereed articles, monographs and book reviews. Her service to the profession includes scores of regional and national presentations, consultations, and membership in several editorial boards. Her leadership in professional organizations includes serving as president of ACPA, co-founder of the National Clearinghouse on Leadership Programs, and a recent election as president of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), a term that will continue until 2012. When she was looking at colleges to attend, Dr. Komives was told by her father that she “could go anywhere in Florida, as long as it was either UF or FSU.” Exhibiting great decision making skills at an early age, she headed to FSU in 1964, although having lived in Vero Beach, she was a bit nervous about how cold Tallahassee would be. As a self described “continuer,” her undergraduate career consisted of a full compliment of activities including serving as a freshmen class Senator representing the residence halls, appointment as a Resident Assistant (then called a Junior Counselor), member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, member of the Motor Board and of the President’s Advisory Board. Personally, her college experience was heavily influenced by women’s issues at a time when FSU had differing practices for men and women, including a dress policy and curfew for women, but not one for men. Spurred by initiatives promoting women in science, Dr. Komives earned a Bachelor of Science in Math and Chemistry. However career options for women in science at the time were limited to education or actuarial science. As she examined graduate education options, Dr. Komives reflected on a “group dynamics and leadership” course she took as a senior in the College of Education that “truly expanded [her] mind.” As a result, she met with her instructor for advice about graduate degree options and had an “a-ha” moment when she realized she could actually work in college student personnel. When probed if she enjoyed teaching or the process of education, she was referred to FSU’s graduate program. In seeking more information, she met with a woman for an informational interview. Later she realized it was Dr. Hardee and the informational meeting was actually her graduate admissions interview. After graduating with her undergraduate degree in 1968, Dr. Komives enrolled in what was an intensive one year program at FSU that she described as “exceptionally rigorous.” Dr. Komives recalls Dr. Hardee as someone who was “cutting edge and future-oriented” and who would often have her students read drafts of important national reports before they were widely available. In addition to Dr. Hardee’s guidance, Dr. Komives benefited from the mentorship of doctoral students such as Annette Gibbs, Fred Badders, and Emma Schulken, all of whom went on to accomplished careers in higher education. Dr. Komives places her graduate experience at FSU in the context of an evolving profession, as she noted, “this was a year before Arthur Chickering would publish his seven vectors of student development” in the first edition of Education and Identity. Dr. Komives remembers Dr. Hardee encouraging her students “not to be shy” and take a stand when they believed strongly in something. Dr. Komives recounted experiences when Dr. Hardee boycotted the APGA conference because it was held in Las Vegas and felt that the location would detract from the educational and professional experience. In another example of Dr. Hardee’s conviction, she recounted the time that Dr. Hardee voiced her dissatisfaction that the association’s President’s Address was closed to those who attended a luncheon and felt the address should be open to any of the organization’s members. Dr. Komives recalled the many “wonderful classroom experiences” that she now understands were “well constructed learning exercises,” practices she emulates in her classroom to this day. Dr. Komives also traces her value for how important it is that student affairs departments collaborate with graduate programs to her own experience at FSU. Shortly after graduating with her Masters degree from FSU, Dr. Komives was married and served as an area coordinator at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In an effort to support a colleague, she joined him in registering for a doctoral level course in January of 1970. While he never completed his degree, she earned her Doctorate of Education in three years, all while working full-time and being promoted three times. Ultimately she served as Acting Director of Residence Life before accepting a position as Associate Dean of Students at Denison University. At Denison, she was the first person to serve in the role of Dean by function and not gender; previously individuals served as either Dean of Men or Women. Dr. Komives was also the first individual to supervise functional areas that included Student Activities, Housing and Greek Life. Dr. Komives proudly states that she was the “direct beneficiary” of the women’s movement in the development of her career. At the age of 32, she became Vice President and Dean of Student Life at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, an all women’s institution, where coincidentally Dr. Hardee had previously served as chair of faculty advising. It was during her tenure at Stephens College that Dr. Komives also served as President of the America College Personnel Association from 1982-83, while she was pregnant with her first child. During this busy time, Dr. Komives jokes that her “plants died and house was never clean,” but recalls her achievements in helping establish the Senior Scholars program, supporting the development of a theory and research board and working with ACPA’s then parent organization American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA). After leaving Stephens College in 1985, Dr. Komives also served as Vice President for Student Development at the University of Tampa. Her professional experiences at small private institutions provided her with an appreciation for a student’s development and growth during the college years. At a small college, it was easier to work with students holistically compared to her experiences at larger institutions. Dr. Komives stated, “you could meet with a freshmen for a disciplinary hearing, and have that same student be a leader in student government their senior year.” Dr. Komives continues, “for a young professional, it was easier to build your own reputation and credibility that allowed you to get things done.” In examining her next step, Dr. Komives explored faculty positions, having “always been drawn to ideas and learning.” She began working at the University of Maryland in 1987, where she continues to teach today. During her time at Maryland she served as acting Department Chair and the program director for the College Student Personnel Program and supervised the work of 27 Master’s theses committees, 32 Master’s papers and chaired 24 Doctoral dissertation committees. In recognition of her work, Dr. Komives was recently recognized with The Excellence in Teaching Award (2006) by the university; Outstanding Mentor to Graduate Student Award (2006) by the Committee on Graduate Students and New Professionals, ACPA-College Student Educators International; and The Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member (2004) by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. In 2006 she became the only person concurrently to receive the Contribution to Knowledge Awards by both ACPA and NASPA. In her current role as President-Elect of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), Dr. Komives is eager to promote the work of the 37 CAS member organizations to advance institutional effectiveness, student learning, outcomes assessment, accountability, and quality assurance. Upcoming plans include a focus on the “application” on using the standards as benchmarks for developing and refining learning outcomes. While there have been conversations about the accreditation of student affairs as a profession, Dr. Komives believes that should not be the purview of CAS. Dr. Komives suggests that “much like Counseling Centers and College Health Centers, if accreditation is advanced, it should be advanced by individual professional associations.” To ensure a long and rewarding career in higher education, Dr. Komives has three recommendations to her students, and readers of the LifeNet. First and foremost, she encourages everyone to be dual-centered and balance professional ambitions with care for family and partners. Secondly, she encourages everyone to recognize the difference between career and professional development. While it is important to develop your career by building new skills and enhancing your areas of expertise, it is just as important to provide leadership in our profession by advancing principles of social justice, access and opportunity. Lastly, Dr. Komives encourages everyone to advance our field at both the local and national level through leadership in professional organization and advancing policies and programs that promote higher education. Dr. Komives is married to artist, Ralph Komives. She is the mother to Air Force Lt. Jeffrey Komives and step-mother to Rachel Hanson and proud grandmother of Mary (8) and Molly (6).