MCLA Welcomes New Vice President of Student Affairs
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Catherine Holbrook, former associate vice president of student affairs at Bridgewater State University, has joined Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as its new vice president of student affairs.
Holbrook has served as the associate vice president for student affairs at Bridgewater State University since 2004, with responsibilities for providing leadership and direction for student affairs, as well as coordinating divisional assessment to guide strategic planning and alignment of resources.
As associate vice president, she provided oversight for Athletics/Recreation; the Campus Center; Commuter Services; the Center for Multicultural Affairs; Community Standards; Office of Student Involvement and Leadership; Greek Life; New Student and Family Programs; Residence Life and Housing; and the Conference and Event Services Office.
Holbrook served as divisional liaison to Bridgewater State’s division of academic affairs, developing and enhancing collaborations to promote student engagement and learning and support retention and student success.
Previously, she was the acting vice president for student affairs at Bridgewater, as well as associate dean, the assistant dean of students, and director of the campus center and conferences. She also held prior positions in student activities and campus center management at Boston University and at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Her accomplishments include providing leadership in strategic planning and assessment, organizational leadership and change management, student success and retention, program development, and student advocacy and mentoring. She serves on NASPA’s Region 1 Advisory Board. In addition, Holbrook has also taught leadership in the First Year Seminar, and has served as a guest lecturer in a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses.
“Cathy joins our community with an impressive background and broad and deep student affairs experience. She will be a true asset to the College and we are fortunate to have her join our team,” Executive Vice President Denise Richardello said.
Holbrook said she looks forward to becoming part the MCLA campus.
“I enjoy getting to know the students, and I wanted a position that allowed me to be part of a senior leadership team to advance the mission of an institution that also was small enough to allow me to have an impact on individual students,” Holbrook said. “When the MCLA position opened up, it certainly fit the bill.”
Passionate about the liberal arts, Holbrook said they are critically important for students to thrive in any line of work they may choose. Noting MCLA’s long history of strong leadership and its experienced, professional staff, Holbrook said those who work in the College’s student affairs and academic affairs offices are proud of the collaborative work that occurs on the campus.
“One of my goals is to build on those strengths and enhance the collaborations to provide students with a truly holistic education that prepares them to figure out who they are, and to understand their own passions and strengths. This approach allows students to build the skills they need to be successful in every aspect of their life, both during and beyond college.”
Holbrook received her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a dissertation on “First-Year Student Development: Students’ Perspectives on Growth and Contributing Factors.” She earned her M.Ed. in counseling from Bridgewater State, and her B.S. in business administration from Villanova University in Villanova, Pa.
In addition, Holbrook holds a certificate in crisis leadership from Harvard University.
Holbrook fills the position previously held by Charlotte Degen ’73, who retired last fall after 40 years of service to the college.
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