Michael Patterson

Student Engagement & Leadership

• Civic & Community Engagement
• Office of Student Veteran Engagement
• Student Unions & Engagement
• Student Leadership Development, including:
  
  • Clubs & Organizations
  • Fraternity/Sorority Life
  • Leadership Development Initiatives
  • Student Government/Student Assembly

About Mike

Mike oversees the Student Engagement and Leadership thematic area which includes the offices of civic and community engagement, student unions & engagement, student leadership development and student veteran engagement. Supporting more than 500 recognized student organizations – student media and publications, fraternity and sorority life, Alma Mater Productions (AMP) programming board, performing arts groups, cultural and religious organizations, student government and more. 

Prior to joining William & Mary, Mike previously served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at the State University of New York at New Paltz overseeing areas of student engagement, student media, student government, residence life, and student affairs assessment.  In his final year, he oversaw the entire student affairs division in an interim capacity.  He has chaired campus task forces that explored the Jewish and LGBTQ+ student belonging experiences through a scholar-practitioner approach, guided leaders in student governance and served as a member of the university’s team supporting students through crisis. Also, at New Paltz, Mike served as a Director of Student Activities and Union Services for 13 years which included the opening of a student union expansion and advising student government.  Mike began his career at Monmouth University (NJ) as assistant director and then associate director, respectively, with responsibilities in activities, student unions, orientation, and fraternity/sorority life. 

Mike received a B.S. in business administration (human resources) from the University at Buffalo (SUNY), a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from The Ohio State University and a doctorate in higher education administration from Northeastern University.  Mike’s doctoral thesis was titled “Transition and Belonging for Lateral Transfer Students Commuting from Home: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.”   His research interests include student sense of belonging, student transitions, history of student governance, and student development theory.  Mike lives in Williamsburg with his two pups, Jasper and Sydney.