By Quentin Revillard / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College named Mike Elam as its new associate dean of students, citing his leadership and experience in higher education.

Elam’s promotion comes as the college continues to expand student support services and strengthen its student affairs leadership team. In his new role, he will oversee student development, campus policies and daily student life operations.

Elam has served as director of the student work program for nearly two years and steps into the position after building a presence on campus. Before arriving in mid-Missouri, he spent a decade at Lindenwood University in multiple roles, including director of shooting sports and athletic director for student life sports.

“I’m honored to be selected for this role,” Elam said. “I’m looking forward to serving Missouri Valley students in this new capacity and focusing on a safe environment that allows them to flourish.”

According to Elam, the transition into his new position will feel natural, as many of his day-to-day responsibilities will remain the same.

“On a day-to-day basis, not a whole lot of changes,” Elam said. “For the last two years, if they needed to be gone, when Dr. Russell was out, I did these type of things before.”

Elam will continue overseeing programs such as student employment and graduate assistants while taking on additional responsibilities within student affairs. A key part of his role will involve working directly with students, particularly in situations involving campus policies and personal development.

“As a dean of students, you get to see a lot of students that have issues… with maybe policy violations,” Elam said. “It’s an institution of higher learning… so we can learn and grow from our mistakes and hopefully not continue to make them.”

Elam brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, as well as a 23-year military career, to the position. His background includes teaching Army ROTC at Washington University and working in admissions, athletics, and student life at Lindenwood.

“I’ve been in higher ed for over 20 years,” Elam said. “So a lot of experience from higher ed, students, and student goals.”

Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Terry Russell expressed confidence in Elam’s ability to succeed in the role.

“Mike is a great asset to the college already, and I know he’ll do a tremendous job,” Russell said. “He’s a great listener, and a stickler for following the student handbook. This is the perfect role for him.”

Looking ahead, Elam said his priorities include continuing to improve campus systems and maintaining a safe and supportive environment for students.

“Really just to continue… working with students and understand,” Elam said. “You’re never going to be perfect. Just looking to improve… we’re trying to improve on our pretty good system.”

Creating a safe campus environment will remain central to his work, which he says depends on consistent enforcement of policies.

“The student handbook needs to be followed,” Elam said. “It’s not fair to 50 students that one student can’t follow the rules.”

As he steps into the position, Elam says he plans to stay connected with students through his daily interactions across campus, particularly through his continued involvement in student employment and athletics.