Monica Holland Named Associate Dean of Students

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Monica Holland, associate dean of students

Monica Holland has been named associate dean of students for the Division of Student Affairs. Holland, who has an extensive background in working with students, started her duties in the dean's office at the beginning of September.

Holland will have responsibility for the student life area in Student Affairs, which includes Student Standards & Conduct, Center for Educational Access, Off Campus Connections and the Veterans Resources and Information Center.

Holland says she is excited about working more closely with each of the areas in student life to support them and in turn support the students that they serve.

"I am looking forward to finding ways in which we can help students address any challenges that they may face so that they can persist and capitalize on their talents and potentials," Holland said. "I'm also excited about continuing to strengthen the relationships I have previously established with our faculty and staff to see how I can, in the new role, support their efforts and partner with them further in the future."

"One of the biggest challenges students face is not asking for help when they need it," Holland said. "I hope that my being a part of the Dean of Students Office, I can help with delivering the message that when students have questions, concerns, or need support they should always feel comfortable coming to us — if we don't know the answer we know someone who will."

Holland's previous roles in student conduct, academic integrity, and Title IX, give her a common thread of student advocacy and development that will serve her well in this new role.

"Monica is also well-known to faculty and staff who will be well aware of her experience and expertise in these areas," said Melissa Harwood-Rom, dean of students. "She is a very comforting presence for us. With her in this role we have a perfect pairing of the new and the familiar."  

Holland holds both a doctoral degree and a master's degree in counseling from the University of Arkansas, as well as bachelor's degree in psychology from Arkansas Tech University. She most recently served as the executive director of the office of Academic Initiatives and Integrity and interim Title IX Coordinator. Dedicated to Student Affairs for more than nine years, she has previously served as the director for Academic Integrity and Conduct, assistant dean of students in the office of Community Standards and Student Ethics. She has also held a position as an academic adviser in Pre-College Programs and currently teaches a graduate level course in the Counseling program at the University of Arkansas.