The start of the fall semester is a new time for all students, and a transitional time for faculty who are stepping into new classes, opportunities and connections. For Courtney Stephens, this semester marks her entrance into the role of dean of students. Stephens calls this new position “an honor.” “You get to be a part of students’ lives in so many different capacities.”
The dean of students’ role is double-faceted; Stephens said her mission is, as a “lover of alliteration,” to serve as both an “ally” and an “advocate” in moments of “accountability.” In addition to this position, she’s also continuing in her role as director of student conduct, which, while often facilitating conversations in response to student needs, troubling situations, or moments of difficulty, allows Stephens to meet students where they are and provide for them both as a listener and as a partner. “My goal is, and it has been for my 16-year career, that if you’re coming into my office for conduct, in addition to making sure that learning has taken place, understanding the harm that has occurred and how you’re going to rectify that, is also walking out knowing you can walk right back in if you ever need anything.” Stephens mentioned that one of her goals is to work assessment into the student conduct process, to ensure students feel heard, respected and valued in meetings.
Stephens identified student affairs as a passion during her first tour as a student tour guide at the University of Delaware. Shortly after, she changed her undergraduate major from journalism to human services, education and public policy, which “allowed [her] to take classes basically about learning about people.” During those four years, Stephens interned in the Office of Student Conduct before attending graduate school at the University of Michigan for student affairs. Stephens stuck with higher education, moving from Housing & Residence Life, to her previous role as associate dean of students, to now, moving to Muhlenberg after two years at Lehigh University, and six years prior in Boston. Her biggest motivators through all of it were the students and faculty, “hands down.”
As previously the associate dean of students, Stephens oversaw the departments of Housing & Residence Life, Student Transitions & Family Programs, and other student conduct-related committees. Now as Dean, Stephens has added another sector to that list– the CARE Team, which focuses on providing student support. In addition, Stephens emphasized the importance of families in students’ lives and her consistent engagement with those off-campus as well.
Stephens promoted her use of language in introductions to students at orientation this fall– “I’m your dean of students,” she said, emphasizing her goal to be approachable to students, and be a faculty member who is always in their corner; that students “know somebody’s gonna care about [them] at this campus. Everybody does, but it’s very important to me that this is a space that students can walk into, not just when they’re in trouble.”
The dean’s first goal for the semester is to “get to know our student population. I do not know everyone. I want to be really focused, though, on figuring out specific areas [of student wants].” She plans to meet with athletic team captains, affinity groups, members of Greek life and more to identify student needs and gain a better understanding of the individual, unique, diverse student experience outside of assumptions. “I also want to be able to be in contact with students that maybe yet haven’t found the[ir] path.” “I want it to be ‘I know I can go to Dean Stephens… I know that that’s where the support can start.’” Stephens also cited the Muhlenberg Action Plan (MAP) coaching model which she helped implement, and the Dean of Students intern Alyssa Kaplan ‘25, who is working to expand this program with student coaches. Stephens acknowledges that her work isn’t done alone, but rather that her role is largely focused on being a connecter–directing students to other departments and resources that would be better equipped to help.
“I’m not somebody that would be able to walk through a campus with not making eye contact, not knowing students’ names and students being numbers.” Trust and notoriety are two key aspects of Stephens’ role, and two of her favorite parts; that students are able to connect with Stephens outside of her office, saying hello to her walking down academic row, “and I know that sounds ridiculous, but it makes it feel like people know who I am, and not in a way where they’re like, ‘power hungry,’… but being like, ‘Oh, that is somebody that I have worked with that, clearly, there is a trust there or an appreciation there, that you would bring acknowledgment to the fact that we are in the same space.”
Stephens also mentioned that this role is exciting; that she has the opportunity to enter into new, impactful spaces and have a hand in making positive changes. She says she’s learned a lot from her predecessor Alison Williams, but that she’s also ready to make this her own. She’s able to “focus on student relationships and encouragement,” and she’s taking lessons from her past and current colleagues to implement at the College.
“I just want to thrive, and I know that about myself and Muhlenberg really has embraced me… I feel like I have been embraced for who I am, and haven’t had to change any of that to fit a position.”
Stephens emphasized that administrators are “humans first,” and that “the intent of the staff, of the faculty, of myself is always to be here for the students first.” Overall, Stephens wants students to know (1) “I got you,” and (2) follow her on Instagram @strong_like_mule. She’s here “because I care,” and is most interested in connecting with students and being a positive, trusted, welcoming presence on campus.
Transcript of Interview:
Harry Glicklin '26 is a media & communication and English double major who is absolutely jazzed to be both a Copy Editor and a writer for The Muhlenberg Weekly. Outside of ~the office~, Harry is a member of the Muhlenberg AcaFellas, Hillel and the WMUH Allentown radio station.
