The Division of Student Life recently hired Byron Hughes and Susannah Marshman as the assistant vice chancellor for Student Life and dean of students and assistant vice chancellor for leadership and engagement, respectively. Hughes and Marshman will both begin on July 1.
Byron Hughes, assistant vice chancellor for Student Life and dean of students
Hughes is joining UT from Virginia Tech, where he served as the dean of students since October 2018. In this role, he provided leadership for offices such as New Student and Family Programs; and Services for Students with Disabilities. He also was responsible for implementing a care-centered program to support advocacy for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students throughout all campuses as well as led efforts to enhance and sustain campus climate through implementing programs and services and maintaining membership on divisional and campus-wide committees.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the UT and Knoxville community,” said Hughes. “Identifying a new campus community has been a moment of significant discernment for me. Going to a place that believes in its land-grant mission for its students to serve and that values mattering and belonging is important for me. Like Virginia Tech, UT is strongly oriented in its mission and calling. I am eager to join my new colleagues as we collectively work to help students understand their strengths through transformative experiences, use those gifts to meet the needs of an evolving world, and courageously build inclusive and diverse communities where belonging is cultivated for all. The Volunteer way of life is indicative of how I live and learn. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to serve.”
As the assistant vice chancellor for Student Life and dean of students, Hughes will focus on three foundations: student advocacy, support, and mattering and belonging. He will assume an advocacy role for students while supporting them through educational, social, cultural, and personal development opportunities. He will provide oversight and management for the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Student Disability Services, Multicultural Student Life, Pride Center, Bias Education, DOS Outreach and Initiatives, Big Orange Pantry, Family Engagement, Student Media, and co-advising the Student Government Association.
Vice Chancellor Frank Cuevas said Hughes will be a tremendous asset to our campus community and will be critical to implementing the strategic priorities of Student Life.
“I am excited that Byron will be joining us on Rocky Top as he brings a wealth of experience in student advocacy and support to our campus. He is committed to the Volunteer experience and developing a sense of community as we work together to make UT a place where all students matter and belong. His dedication to creating meaningful and transformative experiences will further our mission and the vision of the division and university.”
Hughes earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in higher education from Virginia Tech in 2017, his master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Ball State University in 2002, and his bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University in 2000. Previous roles include director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, assistant director of Student Conduct, and assistant director for Housing Operations and Judicial Management.
Susannah Marshman, assistant vice chancellor for leadership and engagement
Marshman joins UT from Coastal Carolina University where she served as the assistant vice president for student engagement since July 2020. In this role, she provided vision and support for five functional areas to strategically plan for short-term and long-term goals, including programmatic and communication planning and oversaw wide-scale programmatic efforts to engage a diverse student population with intersectional identities. She also led a campus-wide student engagement committee that creates collaborative partnerships and space for cross-divisional planning.
“I am elated to join Big Orange Country at such a pivotal time when we are hopefully continuing to come out of a pandemic and examine what the post-pandemic Volunteer experience is all about,” said Marshman. “I am looking forward to engaging with students as they return to campus for fall 2022 and empowering the leadership and engagement team to implement transformational experiences for students outside the classroom.”
The assistant vice chancellor for leadership and engagement is a new position in Student Life and will focus on leading all aspects of student leadership, service, campus engagement, and programming. Marshman will engage, challenge, and support our students through intentional programs and services. She will provide oversight and management for the Center for Student Engagement, Jones Center for Leadership & Service, Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, and Student Union.
Cuevas reflected on the impact that Marshman will have on student engagement and leadership through this new role in Student Life.
“We are delighted to welcome Susannah Marshman to UT to fill this new role on our leadership team. Her experience in student engagement and leadership opportunities will be a great asset as we bolster this critical component of the Volunteer experience. I look forward to working with Susannah to develop innovative engagement opportunities for students to learn, lead, and serve.”
Marshman earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in higher education from Florida State University in 2017, her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech in 2008, and her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in 2007.