Washington College has hired Dr. Xavier Alexander Cole, an educator and administrator with 18 years of experience shaping student life and development, to be its next Vice President for Student Affairs.
Dr. Xavier Alexander Cole, New Vice President for Student Affairs at Washington College
Cole comes to Washington College from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, where he has worked since 1995, most recently as Assistant Vice President for Student Development. In his new post at Washington College, he will manage the student affairs staff and oversee all aspects of student life, including athletics, student activities, career development, community service, drug and alcohol education, Greek life, health services, multicultural affairs, residential life and student conduct.
In announcing the appointment, Washington College President Mitchell B. Reiss said the search committee endorsed Cole unanimously, citing his easy rapport with students, his positive energy and the depth of his higher-education experience. “Xavier embraces and models the qualities we strive to nurture in our students, especially moral courage, empathy, citizenship, and the ability to communicate and lead effectively,” said Reiss. “As a key member of our Senior Staff, he will impact the quality of campus life at all levels.”
A native of Mississippi, Cole earned a bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree, again in history, from Ohio’s Miami University. He recently completed a doctor of education degree in higher-education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
“I look forward to joining the dynamic leadership and Student Affairs team assembled at Washington College,” said Cole. “The mission of Washington College to develop ‘citizen leaders’ fits particularly well with my personal and professional philosophy of working with students. The College has clearly demonstrated through the current strategic plan an investment in a high-quality student experience inside and outside the classroom. I am eager to begin work with all members of the community—faculty, students, coaches, and staff—to shape a vision for an extraordinary liberal-arts experience.”
Cole has served on numerous committees at Loyola and been active in professional organizations such as the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators and NASPA, a national association for student affairs administrators. He also has found time for music, playing trombone in the Loyola University Jazz Ensemble and the Moodswings Big Band. He expects to move to Chestertown this summer with his wife, Dr. Susanne DeBerry Cole, a lecturer in history at Morgan State University, and to begin his job at Washington College by July 1.
In announcing the hiring of Cole, President Reiss also expressed the College’s gratitude to Sarah Feyerherm, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, for her outstanding service as an interim V.P. during the search period.
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