Martinez joins Johns Hopkins as associate vice provost and dean of student life

Terry Martinez, who currently serves as the interim dean of student affairs at Columbia University, will join Johns Hopkins in July to oversee undergraduate student life and student services on the university's Homewood campus, Vice Provost for Student Affairs Kevin G. Shollenberger announced in an email to faculty, staff, and students on Tuesday.

Martinez, who replaced Shollenberger on an interim basis when he left Columbia for Johns Hopkins in May 2103, will be the associate vice provost and dean of student life at JHU. She will be responsible for overseeing the Office of the Dean of Student Life, which includes housing, dining, residential life, student activities, Greek life, new student orientation, LGBTQ programs, judicial affairs, student health, and the counseling center, among other areas.

"As we sought to fill this important position for Johns Hopkins, we knew we had found in Terry a leader with the vision to help grow our student experience," Shollenberger said.

"Terry, who speaks passionately about the power of honest dialogue, will work to develop and increase participation in our student life programs, ensuring equal access to students of different genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religions. She is excited about the opportunity to take part in a holistic planning process for student affairs that is committed to innovative programming and the development of unique student spaces that will enhance academic and co-curricular experiences."

Martinez will replace Susan Boswell, who has been dean of student life on the Homewood campus since 2001. Boswell will move into a new role as special adviser to Shollenberger, with a focus on addressing sexual violence and gender equity on campus.

"The opportunity to shape the co-curricular student experience is what attracted me to the position," Martinez told the Columbia Spectator. "It brings together all of the things I enjoy about the work—establishing a strategic direction, working with students to resolve problems, and providing guidance and leadership."

Before becoming interim dean last June, Martinez served as dean of community development and multicultural affairs and associate dean of students for nearly four years. Prior to that, she held positions at Ithaca College and Wells College.

At Columbia, Shollenberger said, Martinez was instrumental in the planning, implementation, and management of an array of student services and programs. She was responsible for the creation of a professional development series for students and for reassessing Columbia's residential life program and expanding and enhancing themed student housing.

Martinez earned a bachelor's degree in social work from SUNY-Buffalo and a master's degree in applied psychology from New York University.