Caledonia Woman Named Dean of Students at MUW

Cantrell

Cantrell

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Following a national search, Sirena Cantrell of Caledonia has been named dean of students at Mississippi University for Women effective July 1.
As dean of students, Cantrell will report to the vice president for student affairs. She will lead the offices of dean of students, international student services, housing and residence life, campus recreation and student conduct. Cantrell also will serve as coordinator of the university’s Behavioral Intervention Team.
Cantrell said, “I am very excited to serve the campus community in the role of dean of students. This position will allow me the opportunity to work with recruitment and retention efforts on campus in order to enhance the overall W student experience.”
Since September 2013, Cantrell served as interim dean of students in addition to serving as director of housing and residence life for five years. In these roles, she led a team of 66 professional and student staff members in the areas of housing and residence life, counseling services and campus recreation.
Dr. Jennifer Miles, vice president for student affairs and professor of educational leadership, said, “Sirena has contributed a great deal to The W and to the Division of Student Affairs in her work as director of housing and residence life. We know that she is going to bring that same energy, dedication and professionalism to the position of dean of students.”
Before joining The W, Cantrell worked at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for six years in various roles including residence hall director, camp/conferences staff assistant and Junior Warhawk outreach coordinator.
In 2013, Cantrell was chosen to serve as faculty at the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International STARS College in Minneapolis, and she was chosen as the research grant recipient by the Southern Association for College Student Affairs. She served as president of the Mississippi Association of Housing Officers from 2011-2013. Two years ago she was named The W’s Staff Member of the Year.
On campus she is involved with numerous committees including the Quality Enhancement Plan, PIE Council, Director’s Council, Sustainability Committee and the Enrollment Management Task Force. Her professional affiliations include the Mississippi Association for Housing Officers, Association of College and University Housing-International, National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and Southern Association for College Student Affairs.
Cantrell is expected to complete her doctorate of philosophy in counselor education with an emphasis in student affairs from Mississippi State University in August 2015. She also holds a master of science in counselor education from MSU. Cantrell earned her bachelor of arts with a concentration in psychology from Millsaps College and associate of arts with a concentration in behavioral science from East Mississippi Community College.

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