New VP of Student Life and Dean of Students

Robin Holmes-Sullivan, currently system-wide vice president for student affairs at the University of California, will become Lewis & Clark’s new vice president for student life and dean of students on February 18.

Holmes-Sullivan, a licensed clinical psychologist with a PhD from the California School of Professional Psychology, has been at the UC system since 2016. She provides strategic leadership in admissions, student financial support, and student life. Previously she served as vice president for student life at the University of Oregon. During her 25 years there, she provided leadership and policy development in areas including campus climate, cocurricular learning opportunities, wellness initiatives, and cultural competency. She also led initiatives to build new residence halls, a new student union, and health and counseling center additions.

“I am eager to return to Oregon and join the Lewis & Clark community. Connecting with the active, engaged, and socially conscious students and leading a team of professionals who serve and collaborate with them is an exciting opportunity,” says Holmes-Sullivan. “Among my many goals, I look forward to playing a role in improving the retention and graduation rates of students while ensuring that their experiences are well rounded and reflective of a stellar liberal education.”

Holmes-Sullivan has for more than 20 years maintained a clinical psychology practice and consults on issues of diversity and multicultural organizational development for higher education institutions and private corporations. She has taught classes and workshops on multiculturalism and cross-cultural dynamics in conflict mediation as well as identity formation and development.