Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Dr. Melinda J. Sutton

Dr. Melinda J. "Mindy" Sutton '97 joined the University as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students on May 20, 2019, following a national search.

Sutton served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Mississippi, a position she held from June 2014 to May 2019. She returned to the Hilltop in her new role, having previously served as Associate Dean of Student Life in SMU's Division of Student Affairs from 2012 to 2014. Sutton also earned her bachelor's degree in 1997 from SMU, where she was a Hunt Leadership Scholar.

Sutton is responsible for overseeing Campus Recreation, Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Orientation and Transitions, Parent and Family Programs, SMU Mustang Band, SMU Spirit,  Student Advocacy and Support, Student Center and Activities, Student Conduct and Community Standards, and Office of Wellbeing Education.

Prior to her tenure at Ole Miss and SMU, Sutton served in roles at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Tyler, the University of Houston and Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Sutton is active in several professional organizations, including the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators (NASPA), the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) and the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA). In addition, she currently serves as a vice president on Gamma Phi Beta Sorority's International Council.

A native Texan, Sutton earned her undergraduate degree in public relations with minors in English and French from SMU; a master's degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University - Bloomington; and a doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin in educational administration, focusing on higher education leadership.