John McKnight has been appointed the inaugural dean of undergraduate student affairs in the School of Arts and Sciences, effective June 1, 2026. In this newly created role, he will lead the Division of Undergraduate Student Affairs, which encompasses co-curricular programs and the residential experience for undergraduate students.

McKnight joins Dartmouth from Haverford College, where he serves as vice president and dean of the college, overseeing key student life areas that connect residential education, student engagement, advising, wellness, and athletics. 

McKnight will oversee the units within the Division of Undergraduate Student Affairs, which are the Office of Residential Life, the Office of Student Life, and the division’s central office. He will report to the dean of Arts and Sciences and will play an important role in shaping the new school’s mission in coordination with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Undergraduate Education. 

Over the course of his 20-year career in higher education, McKnight has developed a strong record of leadership and student-centered community building. He previously served as founding dean of institutional equity and inclusion and affiliated associate professor of education at Connecticut College and held several student affairs roles at Lafayette College and Lehigh University.

In a message to the Arts and Sciences community, Interim Dean Nina Pavcnik wrote, “Known for fostering inclusive student communities and integrating data-based decision-making, John brings significant experience in building partnerships across academic and student life units. He will provide critical leadership to DUSA as we continue to integrate student experience inside and outside the classroom and strengthen programs and services that promote student success and belonging.” 

She noted, “John particularly impressed me with the ways he connected with students, staff, and faculty during his time here on campus, and I look forward to him joining us next summer.”

McKnight holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in higher education administration from Indiana University Bloomington, and a bachelor’s of science from the University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications.

McKnight’s commitment to community building and holistic learning and support traces back to his experience as a student orientation leader at the University of Florida—a formative experience that continues to influence his leadership approach.

“I am delighted to join Dartmouth at such a pivotal moment in its arc, with the recent launch of the School of Arts and Sciences and many compelling strategic initiatives underway,” said McKnight about his appointment. “This is an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with students and colleagues to build something new within such a storied institution, and I look forward to supporting and challenging undergraduates to maximize their learning across their varied experiences inside and outside of the classroom.” 

McKnight’s career in student affairs has been shaped by a philosophy of care. At Haverford, he prioritized developing meaningful metrics for student success to better inform decision-making. He describes himself as a translator who thrives in engaging with diverse perspectives and bringing teams together to better support students. 

“We are building something incredible here at Dartmouth as we look at the student experience, both now and in the future,” said Jennifer Rosales, senior vice president for community and campus life and chief student affairs officer. “I am overjoyed that John has agreed to step into this critical leadership position, and know that his experiences will serve him well as inaugural Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs. I look forward to working closely with him in the months to come.”

Anne Hudak, who has served as interim dean in student affairs since July 2024, will continue as interim dean for the Division of Undergraduate Student Affairs until McKnight’s arrival, supporting the transition planning for the division. 

The search committee, led by Kristi Clemens, executive director of Dartmouth Dialogues, and Matthew Delmont, associate dean of International and Interdisciplinary Studies, with faculty and staff representatives from the three Arts and Sciences divisions, students, and campus partners, launched the national search in May.