Sewell-Allen Named Dean of Student Life At East Stroudsburg University

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on October 20, 2016, 2 Comments

Doreen Tobin, D.Ed., vice president of student affairs at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU), announced the appointment of Cornelia Sewell-Allen as the Dean of Student Life effective Monday, October 17, 2016. This position replaces the previous departmental position of assistant vice president for student affairs, which was vacated in September 2016.

“I was pleased when I learned that Cornelia submitted her application for the Dean of Students position, and was even more thrilled when she was recommended for the position by the search committee,” said Dr. Tobin. “Cornelia is highly regarded by students, faculty and staff alike. Her experience in Student Affairs, proven ability as an effective advocate for students, and collaborative working style make her the perfect match for the position. Cornelia will serve the division of student affairs and university well in her new role as the Dean of Student Life.”

Mrs. Sewell-Allen brings more than 10 years of experience in higher education to her new role and has held several positions at ESU previous to this appointment, serving admissions and student affairs. She began as the assistant director of admissions and coordinator of international admissions from 2006 to 2009 and was named associate director of admissions and coordinator of marketing and publications for the department through 2012. Sewell-Allen became the coordinator of multicultural affairs from 2012 through 2013 and, to date, has been the director of the department.

In 2015, Sewell-Allen received the Woman of Distinction Award presented by the African American Network, and she is a member of a number of professional organizations including: Pennsylvania State Education Association, National Association of Student Personnel Administrations (NASPA), National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Council for Negro Women (NCNW), American Counseling Association (ACA), the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education (PBCOHE), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She has also served on the Monroe County Children and Youth Advisory Committee and the Monroe County Children Roundtable as well as countless University committees throughout her career at ESU.

As ESU’s Dean of Student Life, Sewell-Allen will supervise the coordinators of Greek Life and Volunteer Services, the Women’s Center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Ally (LGBTQA) Center, Student Conduct and Community Standards and the new director of Multicultural Affairs while also providing oversight to campus ministry. She will also assist in the day-to-day administration of the student affairs division and will become a member of the student affairs senior leadership team. The Dean of Student Life will also provide primary leadership for divisional activities in the areas of new student programs, inclusion and retention initiatives, assessment and program review.

Sewell-Allen earned a Bachelor of Science in consumer studies with a minor in music industry from Syracuse University, a Master of Science in secondary school counseling from the University of Scranton, and is currently enrolled in the administration and leadership doctoral program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.