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DAN MORRISON
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
 Visionary student affairs leader with 30 years of higher education experience creating
powerful, engaged student development-based learning communities.
 Experienced leader in large scale academic and student affairs program creation,
implementation and assessment.
 Skilled director with a wide variety of successful supervisory, budgetary, strategic planning,
collaboration, diversity, facility construction and management, training and assessment
experiences.
 Proven teaching, organizational, leadership, and administration competencies.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills.
 Significant breadth and depth of campus involvement including Academic/Student Affairs
Partnerships, Academic Support/Advising, Assessment, Athletics, Auxiliary Services,
Community Partnerships, Counseling, Crisis Management, Dining, Enrollment Management,
First-year Programs, Health Services, Housing Facilities, International Students, Judicial
Affairs/Conduct, Leadership, Multicultural/Diversity Education, Orientation, Residential
Life, Safety/Emergency Preparedness, and Student Activities and Organizations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director of Housing - Residence Life
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
September 1997 – present.
Supervise 40 full-time (37 with master’s degrees) and 295 part-time staff; $75million budget;
8,900 residents; 37 halls and complexes; 12 renovations and 1 new construction (400 apartments)
Lead a dynamic, comprehensive collegiate residence life operation serving 8,900 residents.
Directly responsible for providing comfortable, safe, and well-maintained housing and for
services that provide an essential underpinning for students’ academic and personal
development. Accept fiscal responsibility for strong performance and ensure the department’s
ability to meet financial commitments. Utilize Residential Curriculum and learning outcomes
approach to community development and assessment. Oversee the Freshman Experience, a
comprehensive first-year living-learning program which has increased first-to-second year
retention from 86% to 96%. Created and lead department’s Strategic and Master Planning
efforts. Directly supervise and evaluate two Associate Directors, three Assistant Directors, six
Area Managers, twenty Hall Directors and 295 Resident Assistants in line functions. In addition,
supervise the Office of Staff and Community Development comprised of one Assistant Director,
and five Program Coordinators in staff roles (training and development, conduct and judicial,
academic support and initiatives, leadership and advising, assessment and research). Advise the
Residence Halls Association, the student advocacy and governance organization. Through 2002,
supervised the Information Technology managers and functions of the residential computing
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network office and the Georgia Tech Cable Television Network (GTCN). Ensure the creation
and delivery of a broad, comprehensive community development program, including the awardwinning Freshman Experience. Work closely with academic units to enhance the living-learning
experience of the 8,500 residents in single-student housing, of which 600 are graduate students,
and 400 families. Directly oversee a $7 million budget and interface with a $75 million budget.
Created and direct 13 living-learning communities. Constructed one new apartment complex
($72M), completed a 10 building, $50M renovation project in 2012 and began a $120M project
in 2013 targeting eight traditional halls. Supervise crisis management, conduct and judicial
system, diversity and multicultural initiatives, leadership and student organizations, and activity
and event programming. Serve as part of the Campus Services leadership team, advising Vice
President of Campus Services and collaborating with other campus units, such as Counseling,
Dean of Students, Student Integrity, Admissions, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Honors
Program, Career Services, Dining, Student Organizations, Facilities Management and
Construction, and Diversity Programs, to enhance the overall quality of the residential
experience. Act as spokesperson for the department. Ensure internal and external constituents
are well served via a positive customer service philosophy.
Assistant Director of Resident Life, Department of Resident Life, University of Maryland
May 1996 – August 1997. Directed a housing area comprising three living communities of 3,300
students residing in traditional residence halls, suites, and apartments, including special interest
housing (Foreign Language House, Honors House, and International House) as well as several
specialized populations (substance-free students, intercollegiate student-athletes). Acted as a
liaison to the academic programs affiliated with these special interest houses, as well as
coordinated all aspects of the intercollegiate athlete housing program. Provided leadership in,
and managed areas of, training and selection, community development, physical environment,
administrative operations, and student behavior. Responsible for a $850,000 budget and direct
supervision of eight full-time staff, seven graduate assistant and 120 student staff members.
Coordinator of Training, Development and Research, Department of Resident Life, University
of Maryland March 1990-May 1996. Coordinated and implemented the training and staff
development of 30 graduate assistants and 50 full-time staff members. Designed and
implemented the teaching of five sections of a 400-level undergraduate Resident Assistant
training course enrolling 100 students. Trained and evaluated the ten course instructors.
Organized and coordinated the annual mid-year Resident Assistant training conference, offering
25 interest sessions. Planned and executed the 3-week, intensive summer staff orientation and
training program. Coordinated internships and practica with academic departments and other
agencies.
Created the professional staff orientation and staff development program.
Additionally, planned, implemented and reported the annual Residence Hall Evaluation Project,
a 100-item survey of 1,000 residents. Directed all research, assessment and evaluation projects in
the Department. Hired, supervised, and evaluated three Assistant Coordinators. Served on
University-wide planning committees (AIDS Awareness, EEO, New Student Celebration,
Division Staff Development, Diversity Initiative).
Coordinator of Recruitment and Selection, Resident Life, University of Maryland September
1987-March 1990. Coordinated the Resident Assistant, Graduate Assistant and professional staff
hiring for a large, multi-faceted campus agency. Designed and implemented search and selection
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procedures for all staffing levels for the department: 500 student, 30 graduate assistant and 50
full-time positions, working within the State Classification System.
Actively created
opportunities to increase diversity of departmental staff through education of search committees
and monitoring of all Federal, State, University and Departmental Affirmative Action and Title
IX procedures. Created and led staff development and promotion workshop series. Lead
department's Diversity Accountability and Implementation Plan, a mandated State equity and
affirmative action effort and served as equity officer. Supervised one Assistant Coordinator.
Coordinator of Greek Affairs/Student Activities,
Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio July 1984 - August 1987. Planned all aspects of a
135-year-old Greek system in which 57% of the student body belonged to 18 national chapters.
Advised the Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic and Panhellenic Councils and their member
committees. Designed and presented leadership training and workshops on all facets of chapter
management. Acted as discipline and judicial officer for Greek groups. Managed 10 Universityowned fraternity houses, including housing assignments, maintenance and food service.
Controlled fraternity housing budget of $350,000. Trained and supervised 3 full-time and 7 parttime live-in advisors. Served as liaison to faculty, staff, community and chapter national
officers. Planned and organized major campus events. Facilitated New Student Orientation.
Created University-wide award honoring student leaders.
Director, Student Volunteer Program, Office of Commuter Student Affairs
The Ohio State University June 1982 - June 1983. Directed 150 agencies and 500 students
interested in volunteer experiences. Designed and delivered programs for off-campus students;
wrote and designed publications for client population; and served as advocate to university and
community agencies in office serving 35,000 commuting students.
Assistant Residence Director, Department of Residence & Dining Halls
The Ohio State University August 1982 - June 1983. Professional staff member in a co-ed threebuilding complex housing 650 residents. Supervised, trained and evaluated 12 resident advisors
and seven student security staff members. Advised three hall governments, executive council
and peer judicial board. Coordinated damage intervention, billing and conducted discipline
conferences. Advised and counseled individuals concerning personal and adjustment problems.
TEACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
 Instructor, Freshman Seminar, Georgia Tech 1998 – 2015 (various terms). Taught a one-credit
course to new students providing a grounding in Institute culture, study skills, time management,
values clarification, multicultural issues and other topics.
 Instructor, Student Staff Training Course, Georgia Tech 1999 – 2009. Designed and taught a
12-week training course for newly hired residence life student staff. Led effort through Faculty
Senate to become a for-credit course in 2007. Focus on student development, communication,
diversity, crisis management and team work in a science- and engineering-based institution.
 Instructor, RAs in the Residence Halls, University of Maryland 1989 – 1995. Designed and
created a 15-week, three-credit course for prospective resident assistants. Integrated student
development theory, communication skills, appreciation of diversity and other performance
expectations into class using a variety of methods: small group interaction, lectures, and
educational exercises. Taught 11 sections over seven years.
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 Instructor, The Student and the University, University of Maryland 1989 – 1996. Taught a onecredit course to new students introducing them campus culture, study skills, and diversity issues.
 Instructor, Student Leadership Training, The Ohio State University 1983 – 1984. Severed on
course design team and taught a 10-week, two-credit course for undergraduate students on
the theories and applications of leadership principles in student organizations.
 Trainer, Sexual Harassment Prevention Program, Office of Human Relations Programs,
University of Maryland 1992 – 1997. Delivered a series of on-going training workshops for
faculty and staff units to educate and prevent sexual harassment on campus.
SELECTED CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Campus Life Leadership
 Campus Access Steering Committee, Georgia Tech, 2013-present. Permanent member of
committee tasked with ADA and other access issues for entire campus community.
 Leadership Advisory Board, Student Affairs, Georgia Tech, 2007-2010. Member of team
charged with oversight of for credit leadership certificate.
 Title IX Steering Committee, Georgia Tech, 2011-present.
 Leader2Leader, Auxiliary Services, Georgia Tech, 2008-2012. Created student leaderdivision leader planning team targeting communication, outreach and improvement.
 Alcohol and Drug Assessment and Education Task Force, Chair, Georgia Tech, 2006-2007
and 2013-2014. Multi-constituency governance committee to examine matters related to
alcohol and drugs at Georgia Tech, including developing a comprehensive education model.
 SACS Accreditation, Quality Enhancement Plan Implementation Committee, Georgia Tech,
2003-2004. Multi-departmental team charged with creation of 10-year plan (focus on
International Issues and Undergraduate Research) mandated by accrediting body.
 NCAA Certification Committee - Academic Integrity Subcommittee, Georgia Tech, 1998.
Year-long review of Division 1 athletic program resulting in new compliance policies.
 Sexual Assault Task Force, Georgia Tech, 1999-present. Institute-wide group analyzing all
aspects of this topic – policy creation, response protocols, and educational programming.
 GT SMART - Alcohol Coalition Steering Committee, Georgia Tech, 1997-2008. Served on
writing team for Robert Woods Johnson Foundation “Binge Drinking Prevention” grant,
resulting in a $70,000 Phase One award; work with campus and community agencies to
address problems of student binge drinking and secondary effects of alcohol on campus.
 Compliance Committee, Georgia Tech Athletic Association, Georgia Tech, 1998-present.
Provide oversight and critical problem solving on issues affecting athletic compliance and
NCAA Division 1 teams.
 Customer Service Initiative Strategic Planning Steering Committee, University of Maryland,
1994-1997. Created a mechanism identifying departmental customer service needs and
solutions, resulting in five year-long task forces addressing continued growth.
Multicultural/Diverse Communities
 Campus Climate Assessment Team, Georgia Tech, 2012-2013. Created and implemented
comprehensive climate survey (faculty, staff and students). Made recommendations to
President’s Cabinet on initiatives to improve climate for all community members.
 Finding Common Ground Committee, Georgia Tech, 2007-2011. Student and Staff
committee charged with education, communication, partnership-building, to address conflict
as it arises on campus or in the community.
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 Diversity Initiative Steering Committee and Program Sub-Committee Chair, University of
Maryland, 1994 – 1997. Multi-departmental effort to build a more inclusive community
grounded in respect for differences. Specifically created four semester-long programming
periods designed to explore and enhance common values that emphasize interdependence,
equality, justice, human rights and the sanctity of each individual's dignity; each period
included 75 programs targeting faculty, staff, and students.
 Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, University of Maryland, 1987 - 1994. Divisionwide committee addressing departmental issues of EEO and Affirmative Action; served on
Diversity Accountability and Implementation Plan training committee.
Academic Partnerships
 Enrollment Management Team, Georgia Tech, 1997-present. Serve with Undergraduate
Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid and New Student Programs.
 Living-Learning Task Force, Georgia Tech, 2014-2015. Tasked with analyzing the next
evolution of living-learning programs on campus.
 Faculty-Student Interaction Task Force, Co-Chair, Georgia Tech, 2008. Provost-appointed
faculty committee charged with creating opportunities for engagement outside the classroom.
Resulted in the creation and introduction of 8 unique new living-learning communities.
 Sophomore Initiatives Task Force, Georgia Tech, 2007. Provost-appointed faculty
committee charged with addressing issues of second-year disengagement.
 Honors Program Planning Committee, Georgia Tech, 2004-2006. Created first and second
year multi-disciplinary program targeted at attracting diverse learners to Tech.
 Georgia Tech Oxford Program, 1999-present. Created partnership with Office of
International Education to provide trained student affairs leaders for 5-week summer trips
though Western Europe leading to 6 weeks Worcester College at Oxford University. Led
trips summer 2005 and 2008.
 College Park Scholars Planning and Implementation Committee, University of Maryland
1995-1997. President-appointed, multi-disciplinary committee tasked with creation of new
first-year based living-learning programs. Resulted in 8 programs which are still components
of a larger initiative at UM.
Crisis Planning/Emergency Response
 Mental Health Steering Committee, Georgia Tech. 2013-present. Permanent member of
steering committee charged with creating a comprehensive “safety-net” for campus
community around metal health issues.
 Critical Incident Response Team, Georgia Tech, 1997-present. Created response-protocols
for dozens of potential crises as they relate to all functions of the campus. Serve on fourmember leadership team (Chief of Police, Dean of Students, Campus Spokesperson) to
analyze high-level or critical incidents and initiate response based on protocols.
 Emergency Preparedness Committee, Georgia Tech, 2006-present. Multi-discipline group
charged with on-going evaluation of, and recommendations on, planning and preparation of
campus and community members. Address students, staff, faculty and all buildings and
research facilities, including emergency communication system, assessment and education.
 Counseling Center Advisory Board, Georgia Tech, 1999-2002.
 Mental Health Task Force, University of Maryland, 1994-1996. Created training and
evaluation system for suicidal campus members based on outreach and education model.
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EDUCATION
Master of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
The Ohio State University, June 1984
Major: Student Personnel Work in Higher Education
University of Toledo, June 1982
Major: Communication (Cum Laude)
PUBLICATIONS
Foubert, J.D., Tepper, R., & Morrison, D.R. (1998). Predictors of student satisfaction in
university residence halls. Journal of College and University Student Housing, 27 (1), 41-46.
Morrison, D.R. (1997). Diversity and residence halls: The key role of student advisors.
Diversity Digest, 1(2), 7-8. Association of American Colleges & Universities, Washington, DC.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
“Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Conferences & Events: What to Know and Do to Follow
Federal Law.” Invited session at 2016 ACCED-I Conference, Portland, OR.
“High Impact Educational Practices That Shape Student Success.” 2012 Georgia College
Personnel Association Conference, Savannah, GA.
“Millennials: Who are Today’s Students and Why Do They Act as They Do?” 2007 Georgia
College Personnel Association Conference, Columbus, GA.
“Get on the Bus: Applying the Principles of ‘From Good to Great’.” 2005 Georgia College
Personnel Association Conference, Callaway Gardens, GA.
“Understanding Learning Styles: Experiential Learning and the Practice of Student Affairs.”
2005 Georgia College Personnel Association Conference, Callaway Gardens, GA.
“Residential Academic Support Programs.” 2002 ACUHO-I Conference, Orlando, FL.
“Convocation through Commencement: Living-Learning Spans the Academic Experience.”
2002 Residential Colleges and Living-Learning Programs Conference, Columbus, OH.
“Building a Successful Campus Coalition.” 1999 SEAHO Conference, Biloxi, MS.
"Assessing the Academic Environment in the Residence Halls." 1997 ACPA/NASPA
Convention, Chicago, IL.
"New Job, New Campus: Do You Have a New Formula For Success?" Winner, Region's Best
Award, 1996 MACUHO Conference, West Virginia University and invited presentation 1997
ACUHO-I Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
"Assessing Residents' Opinions: The Value of Research to a Residence Life Department."
Winner, Region's Best Award, 1995 MACUHO Conference, Pennsylvania State University and
invited presentation 1996 ACUHO-I Conference, Providence, RI.
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Multicultural Approaches to Student Success." 1996 ACPA Convention, Baltimore, MD.
"Student Satisfaction in Residence Halls." 1996 ACPA Convention, Baltimore, MD.
"Campus Response to Attacks on Affirmative Action." Invited presentation 1996 Ford
Foundation Annual Campus Diversity Initiative Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
"Effective Conference Interviewing: It All Starts Here." Pre-Convention Workshop, 1988 ACPA
Convention, Miami.
"Commuter Student Parents as Paraprofessionals: Creating Greater Linkages between the
Family and the Institution." 1984 ACPA Convention, Baltimore, MD.
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
 Trustee, ACPA Foundation, 2012-present
o Secretary, 2014-2016
o Chair, Strategic Plan Task Force, 2015
 Convention Marketing/Publications Chair, 2014 National Convention (Indianapolis, IN)
Led the marketing and social media components for 90th Annual Convention.
 Convention Program Chair, 2008 National Convention (Atlanta, GA)
Led a ten member planning group to provide three major keynote speakers and four
invited speakers and 350+ broad-based educational programs for 4000+ participants
using a Professional (Learning) Outcomes model. Oversaw Next Generation Conference
to expose student affairs as a career path to undergraduate students.
 Local Arrangements Chair, 2005 National Convention (Nashville, TN)
Oversaw the Hospitality, Volunteer and Disability Access teams for a first-time
convention location which attracted 4300+ attendees.
 Pre-Convention Workshops Chair, 2000 National Convention (Washington, DC)
Identified timely topics and qualified presenters for sessions for which attendees are
charged an additional fee. Presented the largest number of workshops with the greatest
enrollment in history of ACPA.
 Coalition for Multicultural Affairs, member, 1999-present
 Commission for Assessment and Evaluation Directorate Member, 1996-1998
 Commission for Student Involvement Directorate
o Chair, Programs, 1989
o Vice Chair, Membership, 1988 (Outstanding Membership Recruitment Award)
o Chair, Greek Affairs Task Force, 1987
Georgia College Personnel Association (GCPA)
 President-elect, 2009; President, 2010; Past President, 2011
 Secretary, 2005-2006
 Chair, Professional Development Committee, 2004-2005
 Program Chair, 2004 Conference, Jekyll Island, GA
 Program Committee, 2002-2003
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Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I)
 Special Events Chair, 2006 National Convention, Atlanta, GA
 Chair, Commissioned Research Committee, 1997-1998
Community Volunteerism
 Atlanta Beltline Community Resource, Neighborhood Planning Unit, 2011-present
 Greater Atlanta Coalition on Homelessness, 2000-2007
 Metro-Atlanta College Network, 1999-present
 Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC., 1989-1997
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
American College Personnel Association Foundation
 Diamond Honoree, Las Vegas, NV, March 2013
University System of Georgia, Board of Regents
 Customer Service Excellence – Team of the Year, 2009 Chancellor’s Silver Award,
Atlanta, GA, September 2009
Georgia Tech
 Citizens Police Academy, Graduate, Georgia Tech Police Department, 2014
 Friend of Student Affairs Award For outstanding contributions through exceptional
dedication in support of the mission and vision of student affairs, Atlanta, GA, May 2011
 Friend of the Student Award, Student Government Association, Atlanta, GA, April 2002
American College Personnel Association
 Outstanding Service Award, Indianapolis, IN, April 2007
 Outstanding Membership Recruitment Award, Miami, FL, March 1988
Ford Foundation
 Outstanding Diversity Education Project to UMCP Diversity Initiative, Philadelphia, PA,
November 1996
Mid-Atlantic College and University Housing Officers
 Region’s Best Program Award, "New Job, New Campus: Do You Have a New Formula
for Success?" West Virginia University, October 1996
 Region’s Best Program Award, "Assessing Residents' Opinions: The Value of Research
to a Residence Life Department." Pennsylvania State University, October 1995
National Association of College and University Residence Halls
 National and Regional Program Award Recipient, 1999
University of Maryland at College Park
 Professional and Managerial Employee of the Year, Division of Student Affairs, 1995
 Outstanding Service Award, Department of Resident Life, 1991 and 1995