New Dean Takes the Helm for Student Success

By Gisselle Rueda, Skyline Reporter

ALPINE- Kathy Stein, a professor of English at Sul Ross State University, has been appointed the first Assistant Dean of Student Success.  

The Assistant Dean of Student Success is a new position at SRSU that was created to help students throughout their educational journeys. Stein will oversee several student resource offices and initiatives, such as the Lobo Den, freshmen advising, student support services, and freshman seminars.  

As the new Assistant Dean of Student Success, Stein will also oversee student retention. While Stein never imagined she would be in this position when she joined the SRSU faculty in 2008, she said that she has a strong passion for student education. Quite like many SRSU students, Stein is a first-generation college student and grew up in a low-income household, which makes her the perfect person for the position. Stein said her ability to relate to the students at Sul Ross is what drives her passion for student success.  

One of her duties as the Assistant Dean of Student Success will be writing policies and procedures aimed at increasing graduation rates. SRSU is losing juniors and seniors at a high rate. Stein said that she is trying to figure out what the greatest obstacles to student success are and how she and other SRSU members can resolve them. For now, Stein said that students must believe in themselves.  

“This institution believes in you, but you have to believe in yourself,” Stein said.