Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Joshua McIntosh announced today that Allen Delong, associate dean of student affairs at Bowdoin College, will become senior associate dean for Purposeful Work and Career Development at Bates effective December 1.

“A recognized leader in higher education, Allen brings significant experience in program design, a deep commitment to collaborative work, and an exceptional sense of creativity,” said McIntosh. “His proven strengths will be enormously helpful as we continue to build on the success of the Purposeful Work initiative and career services at Bates.”

“I am delighted to join the team at Bates and jump into a program and set of issues that are so important to students and distinctive for the institution. Purposeful Work is a game-changing initiative that infuses itself into every aspect of the Bates experience. I am inspired by the philosophy and look forward to leading the next chapter of Purposeful Work and continuing to strengthen the important programs and services at the Career Development Center,” said Delong.

Reporting to McIntosh, Delong will oversee the ongoing development of Purposeful Work and the integration of its philosophy and programs with Career Development. Working with Career Development and Purposeful Work teams, he will serve as a dynamic campus leader and senior administrator focused on supporting the goals and aspirations of students from all backgrounds.

“Allen is a proven leader who brings vision and energy to all he does.  His humanity and commitment to equity, which shone through in his campus interviews, will make him a wonderful colleague at Bates,” said Bates President Clayton Spencer. “I look forward to welcoming Allen to campus in December.”

Since 2006, Delong has overseen Bowdoin College’s division of student life and student union, first as director of student life and later as the associate dean of student affairs. With a staff of 20, Delong has led a variety of student services, including the Student Center for Multicultural Life, the Women’s Resource Center, the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Student Activities, the Schwartz Outdoor Leadership Center, the McKeen Center for the Common Good, and Upward Bound.

Prior to Bowdoin, Delong held a series of academic and administrative positions at The Ohio State University, which included teaching in the School of Educational Policy and Leadership, evaluating program effectiveness for retention efforts, and developing first-year experience programming. Delong also served as assistant director of the Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland’s flagship campus in College Park.

Delong’s appointment at Bates follows a national search overseen by a committee comprising students, faculty, and staff and supported by Isaacson, Miller, a leading higher education search firm. “Among other things, what stood out about Allen is his sophisticated understanding of how Purposeful Work and Career Development advance our mission, allowing us to more fully live up to our commitment to equity and inclusion. This, coupled with his generous spirit, makes him well suited for the work ahead,” said Lee Abrahamsen, associate professor of biology and member of the search committee.

After growing up in Aroostook County, Maine, Delong earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, a M.Ed. from the University of Vermont, and a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University.