A new dean of students will join the staff of Tusculum College in March, bringing more than a decade of experience in student affairs work to Tennessee's oldest college.

David Michael McMahan, J.D., is currently the associate dean of students at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, a position he has held since July of 2001.

McMahan will oversee resident student activities and affairs, campus safety and security, and health services at Tusculum College. He replaces former Dean of Students Dr. Scott Mashburn, who left Tusculum College in 2004 to accept a post at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

At Tusculum College, McMahan will report to Vice President for Enrollment Management George Wolf, who has been performing dean of students duties on an interim basis since Mashburn's departure. Wolf said, "I'm very excited that David will be joining Tusculum College. His background and experience will be very beneficial to the college."

McMahan holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Houston, as well as a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law, where he was graduated with honors in the top 18th percentile of his class.

McMahan will temporarily divide his time between Tusculum College and Muskingum beginning March 1, then transition into full-time work at Tusculum in the spring, Wolf said.

Joining McMahan in his move to East Tennessee will be his wife of 15 years, Selda Vasquez-McMahan, whom McMahan described as "a graduate of another fine small Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts institution - Austin College in Sherman, Texas." Vasquez-McMahan will complete her work as project manager for the Graduate Studies Department at Muskingum College before moving to Tennessee, McMahan said.

"Knowing that Tusculum possesses the honor of having the oldest charter in the State of Tennessee dedicated to the academic development of students, the fact that the college has always been equally immersed in a rich tradition of developing students of character both in its vision and its actions has been inspiring," McMahan said.

"Seeing students, staff, and faculty embrace this mission, it is an honor to be part of the team which will help assure that the Student Affairs program continues to keep pace with Tusculum's continued growth and prominence in the community," he continued.

McMahan earlier told the committee conducting the search for a dean of students that the opportunity to work with Tusculum College offers him "the chance to further pursue my interests through a small, private, religiously affiliated institution" that possesses a "culture and values I believe will align with my educational philosophies."

Prior to his current work at Muskingum College, McMahan was associate director for residential life at the University of Houston, and prior to that, interim associate director of residential life and housing at the same university. Also at the University of Houston, he was area coordinator for three student residential facilities. He has also been judicial affairs coordinator and residence halls director for Austin College, and held various other student residential life posts in Texas.

He has worked as a legal intern for the city of Tulsa legal department and for a federal judge in Oklahoma, and as a summer associate with a law firm in Tulsa.

He has taken part in extensive continuing education work and conferences, served on numerous committees at Muskingum College, the University of Houston and Austin College, and has several professional presentations and publications to his credit.

He has been active in civic and professional organizations and has done consulting work. He has extensive computer experience.

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