Dear colleagues,
Kenyon and I are excited to announce that Lorraine Craven has accepted our offer to join the Division of Student Affairs as Assistant Dean for Student Experience, effective September 20, 2023. Lorraine will also be on campus during Welcome Week and at other key events prior to her official start date.
As Assistant Dean, Lorraine will provide strategic leadership for the Student Experience Team and will oversee the offices of New Student Programs and Second-Year Experience, Off-Campus & Commuter Outreach, Parents and Families, and Residence Life. With Lorraine’s addition to our senior leadership team, we now have a full slate of Assistant and Associate Deans!
Lorraine is a seasoned Student Affairs leader, with an 18-year career in higher education, including the areas of academic affairs and enrollment management. Most recently, she has served as the Chief Student Affairs Officer and Director of Student Services and Engagement for the Penn State Greater Allegheny Campus, providing leadership for several departments including but not limited to Student Activities, Residence Life, Diversity and Inclusion, Campus Recreation, Student Conduct, Career Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Health Services. A few of her accomplishments in this role include launching a comprehensive plan that addressed student care and advocacy called the Greater Giving Program in which over 35% of the student body participated within the first year. She also restructured the Division of Student Affairs to establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department that provides programs, mentoring, support for international students, and guidance for student organizations that focus on racially diverse topics.
Prior to her time at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Lorraine served as Director of the Eagle Elevation Leadership Center at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and as Director of First Year and Transfer Student Experiences at Slippery Rock University (SLU). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration (Student Affairs Concentration) from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (UB). She is a member of The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Lorraine is passionate about helping students reach their full potential, building strong relationships with individuals across campus, and leading staff with an open and transparent leadership style. She grew up in Pittsburgh, is a proud alumna of Carrick High School, and currently resides in Pleasant Hills with her family.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Lorraine to Pitt!
Sincerely,
Carla