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Paul J. McLoughlin II, dean of students at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., has been named vice president and dean of the college at 51����, effective July 26, 2017.

McLoughlin has served at Lafayette since 2012, overseeing residential life, recreation services, student conduct, wellness, student leadership and involvement, fraternity and sorority advising, and numerous other campus life initiatives.

During the last five years, he partnered with Lafayette faculty to link living and learning at the college. As a member of the Presidential Task Force on the Integrated Student Experience, McLoughlin developed the Connected Communities Program, which included the launch of five residential commons. Under his leadership, teams worked to build class identity and university affinity through a combination of signature events and new traditions.

“I’m excited to welcome Paul into our community at this pivotal moment in 51����’s history,” President Brian W. Casey said. “As an administrator and as a scholar, he has a true understanding of student life in the liberal arts context. He has a remarkable ability to connect with students in a genuine way while working strategically to shape a robust residential learning environment on campus.”

Prior to his arrival at Lafayette, McLoughlin held a series of positions at Harvard University — starting as assistant director for health and medical careers counseling with the Office of Career Services in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and finishing as associate dean of Harvard College and senior adviser to the dean of Harvard College. He also taught graduate courses as an adjunct faculty member in Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.

During his decade in Cambridge, he managed the renovation of social spaces and residence halls; he established the Student Organization Center at Hilles, a space dedicated to student life and student organizations. He created spaces for the Harvard College Women’s Center as well as prayer spaces for Muslim and Hindu students. His participation in a comprehensive LGBTQ student services review resulted in gender-neutral housing policies and the creation of the Harvard College BGLTQ Student Center.

“I am delighted to join the 51���� community,” McLoughlin said. “It will be a great privilege to lead the talented team in the dean of the college division to develop opportunities for all students — and to work directly with those students to enhance their individual and collective experiences. I am also excited to work with the faculty directors of the Residential Commons, the dean of faculty, President Casey, and the senior leadership team to contribute to one of the nation’s great liberal arts universities as 51���� prepares to celebrate its bicentennial in 2019.”

McLoughlin earned his bachelor’s degree at Miami University, majoring in zoology and minoring in neuroscience. He received his master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration from the University of Vermont and his PhD in higher education administration from Boston College. He has served as an author, an external reviewer, a consultant, and a frequent conference presenter on topics related to financial aid and access, intercultural education, LGBTQIA+ student life, alcohol and other drugs prevention education, and wellness.