Dean for Student Life Chris Colombo announced this week the appointment of Henry J. Humphreys as senior associate dean for residential life and dining in the MIT Division of Student Life. As senior associate dean, Humphreys will be responsible for providing the strategic direction and leadership for Housing, Dining, Residential Life Programs, and the Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups (FSILG) office.
“Residential life is at the center of our living and learning community. Henry’s depth of experience, passion for student development, and commitment to building community on campus make him the ideal person to fill this role,” Colombo said. “We are thrilled to welcome Henry to our team.”
Humphreys comes to MIT from Boston College, where he has served as director of residential life since 2002. Prior to Boston College, he served as the dean for residential life at St. John’s University in New York City, establishing that institution’s first residential housing system. Humphreys has 25 years of professional experience as a college administrator, including as an adjunct faculty member in the psychology department at Iona College and as assistant dean of admissions at Green Mountain College.
Humphreys holds a PhD from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education. His research examined how living environments affect honors students’ psychosocial development. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts from Columbia University Teachers College in educational administration and a Bachelor of Science in special and elementary education from Green Mountain College.
Over the course of his career in residential life, Humphreys has held a variety of leadership positions, including serving as president of NEACUHO (Northeast Association of College and University Housing Officers) in 2000-2001; serving as faculty in 2007 and 2010 at the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) at the University of Maryland; and, most recently, serving as the senior student affairs liaison for MA-NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) from 2008-2010.
Humphreys fills the role left vacant this summer by the retirement of Karen Nilsson, the former senior associate dean for residential life. His effective start date is Nov. 1.
“Residential life is at the center of our living and learning community. Henry’s depth of experience, passion for student development, and commitment to building community on campus make him the ideal person to fill this role,” Colombo said. “We are thrilled to welcome Henry to our team.”
Humphreys comes to MIT from Boston College, where he has served as director of residential life since 2002. Prior to Boston College, he served as the dean for residential life at St. John’s University in New York City, establishing that institution’s first residential housing system. Humphreys has 25 years of professional experience as a college administrator, including as an adjunct faculty member in the psychology department at Iona College and as assistant dean of admissions at Green Mountain College.
Humphreys holds a PhD from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education. His research examined how living environments affect honors students’ psychosocial development. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts from Columbia University Teachers College in educational administration and a Bachelor of Science in special and elementary education from Green Mountain College.
Over the course of his career in residential life, Humphreys has held a variety of leadership positions, including serving as president of NEACUHO (Northeast Association of College and University Housing Officers) in 2000-2001; serving as faculty in 2007 and 2010 at the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) at the University of Maryland; and, most recently, serving as the senior student affairs liaison for MA-NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) from 2008-2010.
Humphreys fills the role left vacant this summer by the retirement of Karen Nilsson, the former senior associate dean for residential life. His effective start date is Nov. 1.
