Austin College President Steven P. O’Day announces the addition to the College senior leadership of Carllos Lassiter as Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Austin College. He will assume the role August 1.
“I am very excited to have Carllos join the Austin College team and look forward to his arrival,” said President O’Day. “His experience in higher education has been at institutions much like Austin College—which value academic excellence and engaging student learning experiences—so he should fit easily into our community. He is a talented administrator who will promote a productive and supportive environment and help us to prioritize initiatives that meet the changing needs of our diverse student population. I look forward to working with him to implement these programs and see our student body flourish.”
Lassiter comes to Austin College with 18 years of experience in the student affairs profession, most recently at American University in Washington, D.C., where he is Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement in the Office of Campus Life.
“I am truly honored and excited to work with President O’Day along with the administration, faculty, and staff in providing an outstanding and transformational education experience for all students,” Lassiter said. “Equally, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the advancement of inclusion and diversity in deepening a sense of belongingness for all community members. I look forward to working together as a team to ensure an equitable and student-centered approach in affirming the mission of Austin College.”
In Lassiter’s current role at American University, he serves as a senior administrative officer with responsibility for strategic direction and administration of programs related to student engagement and intercultural learning. He has supervision over administrative units for community engagement, diversity and inclusion, spiritual life, residential life, military-affiliated student support services, student involvement, the food pantry, and the Center for Orientation, Transition, and Retention.
Before joining American University, Lassiter served as Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He also has worked at The University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, and Tulane University, among other colleges and universities.
Lassiter is completing final dissertation edits to receive a Doctor in Higher Education degree from the University of Mississippi this summer. His scholarly research focuses on institutional responsibility aimed at healthcare accessibility and affordability for college students. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies from Vassar College and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Mississippi. He is an active member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the International Center for Student Success and Institutional Accountability, and the Association for Student Conduct Administration.
Lassiter’s professional philosophy is to ensure students have a quality and rewarding experience on college campuses. His vision is to create a campus culture and environment in which students, faculty, and staff are committed to strive for personal and academic integrity; to treat others with dignity and respect; and to become involved in creating a community that is inclusive and welcoming for everyone. He is dedicated to enhancing the growth of all students to reach their full potential by providing rich learning opportunities through student life programs and services.
Lassiter will be part of the seven-member Senior Leadership Team of Austin College, led by President O’Day and including the vice presidents or leadership of Academic Affairs, Business Affairs, Student Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Institutional Marketing and Communications, and Institutional Enrollment.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.