About Us
Message From the Dean
Greetings!
Professionals and students in the Office of the Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students collaborate to facilitate learning opportunities and experiences that extend beyond the classroom. We provide students with activities that foster knowledge and success, and create a complete University experience where students achieve an understanding of themselves and the world around them. To ensure that every University of South Florida student graduates with a set of skills that carries into their future endeavors, we focus our work into the following areas: Advocacy, Leadership Development, Involvement, Civic Engagement, Multiculturalism, Diversity, & Inclusion, and Responsible Community Behaviors. We encourage students to stretch their comfort zones and discover new friends, interests, passions, and talents. We invite you to join with us to ensure that every Bull has access to the tools and connections they need to make their USF experience unique and complete.
-Danielle McDonald
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students
Dr. Danielle McDonald's Biography
Dr. Danielle McDonald has been at USF for 9 years. As a leader in the Division of Student Affairs and Student Success, she works collaboratively to mitigate barriers to student retention and degree completion. She provides strategic leadership for offices responsible for student advocacy, crisis intervention, community development and student engagement including: residence education, student involvement, fraternity and sorority life, leadership and civic engagement, multicultural affairs, student government, student media, disability services, the student center, and student conduct and ethical development. She also works with campus emergency response, behavioral intervention, student emergency funding, and student crisis response and advocacy.
She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction where her dissertation focused on predicting degree completion of transfer students. She earned her M.ED in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia, has a Certificate in Higher Education Management from Harvard, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and Psychology at the University of Miami.
She has been recognized nationally and at the university for her work with student success, student advocacy, and leadership. She is a life loyal member of her sorority, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and served in various roles with national and state organizations. Her favorite USF traditions are the USF Week Talent Show, Stampede of Service, the Leadership Challenge, and the Balloon Drop.