Dr. Brandon K. Dumas, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Wiley College, has a record of accomplishment and holds more than a decade of experience in higher education administration. Dr. Dumas holds four academic degrees: an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College; a Masters of Business Administration from Salem University; and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University.

 

At Wiley, Dr. Dumas is responsible for planning, developing, managing, and administering programs and strategies for student affairs and enrollment management that support the strategic plan and mission of the college. Additionally, he collaborates with academic and campus leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to recruit, retain, and serve a vibrant and diverse student body.

 

Dr. Dumas's service as vice president, which began on June 1, 2018, has been characterized by great gains, transformational leadership and a momentum of progress and innovation. Prior to being named vice president for student affairs and enrollment management in 2019, he served as vice president for student affairs and director of intercollegiate athletics. Under his leadership, the athletics department experienced winning seasons in multiple sports and earned the coveted distinction of having the highest cumulative grade point average in the Red River Athletic Conference which consists of 12 member institutions.

 

Prior to serving Wiley, he held numerous administrative posts within various entities of the Southern University System, the nation’s only historically black college and university system, including: executive associate to the system president, deputy chief of staff, director of student affairs, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, vice chancellor for student affairs and vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management. In 2011, Dr. Dumas became the youngest vice chancellor in the history of the institution and was among the youngest senior-level higher education administrators in the country when he was appointed to serve as vice chancellor for student affairs of the flagship campus at age 26. In 2014, he was promoted to vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. During his tenure, first-time freshmen enrollment increased by more than 30%, the division of student affairs moved to fiscal independence, the student health and university counseling centers were reimagined, renovated and expanded, a multi-million dollar intramural & recreational sports complex was constructed and extensive structural and aesthetic improvements were made to all residential facilities along with countless other innovative and transformational advancements that still causes the institution to thrive in delivering stellar student services today.

 

Dr. Dumas’s personal and professional achievements have been remarkable, but it is the commitment to excellence and seriousness of purpose he brings to every endeavor he undertakes, that is most impressive. In 2011, former First Lady Michelle Obama, along with then Governors Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, acknowledged Dr. Dumas for becoming the youngest graduate in the history of Jackson State University’s Executive Ph.D. Program, when he earned the Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education at the age of 26.

 

Although he has earned many honors and recognitions for his work and service, a defining moment in his career was being overwhelmingly elected by his peers to serve as president of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) on February 25, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NASAP continues to build a rich history as a leading student affairs association promoting excellence, professional development, leadership, training, research, and advocacy for higher education professionals, faculty, staff, and students at historically black institutions and other diverse settings in higher education. NASAP is committed to providing leadership and awareness on current and emerging issues impacting higher education and student affairs, with a specific focus on HBCUs and minority serving institutions.

 

To bolster his executive and administrative forte, Dr. Dumas has completed extensive training and earned certifications from countless professional organizations including the Executive Leadership Summit: On the Road to the Presidency at Hampton University, the Institute for Chief Student Affairs Officers - NASPA|Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the Student Affairs Fundraising Institute at Indiana University’s – Lilly School of Philanthropy and the Higher Education Leadership Foundation.

 

Dr. Dumas serves on several boards providing leadership to several organizations including the board of trustees at two HBCUs – Simmons College of Kentucky, in Louisville, Kentucky where he serves as chairman of the student affairs committee and Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida. He has authored and co-authored several articles that have been published in scholarly journals. He is active in several religious, educational, social and civic organizations.  A man of faith and devout Christian, he serves as deacon at Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and special assistant to the president and historian of the National Baptist Convention of America Int’l Inc. Dr. Dumas is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is the proud father of two daughters, Braxtyn Victoria and Brailyn Janae.