Dr. Zdziarski has been with DePaul University since 2014, and as vice president for Student Affairs is responsible for providing strategic direction and vision to 12 departments and approximately 75 full-time staff who deliver extra-curricular programs and services that support student academic success through meaningful engagement and various support services.
Dr. Zdziarski came to DePaul from Roanoke College in Salem, Va., a private liberal arts college with approximately 2,000 full-time students, where he served as vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students for over five years. Before that, he served as assistant vice president and dean of students for seven years at the University of Florida, with a student body of 50,000. He also served as associate director of student life at Texas A&M University, where he worked for 15 years in various roles serving nearly 50,000 students.
Gene was named a 2014 Pillar of the Profession by Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), and received the John Koldus Award for Distinguished Service to NASPA in 2008. He is known for his commitment to collaboration and fostering students' academic achievement.
Gene received his PhD in educational administration from Texas A&M, his master's degree in education from the University of Tennessee and his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University. He is a nationally recognized expert on campus safety issues and has co-authored a book on crisis management.