Delmy M. Lendof, a higher education professional with more than 25 years of experience in student affairs, has been appointed Pratt Institute’s new vice president for student affairs. She will begin the role on August 23, 2021, as the Institute prepares to welcome new and returning students to campus.
As Pratt’s vice president for student affairs, Lendof will be responsible for managing a vibrant student life program and providing dynamic and purposeful leadership steeped in a commitment to art, culture, social justice, and shared governance.
“I welcome Delmy to the Pratt community with great enthusiasm. I am looking forward to her great partnership and her strong advocacy, reaching across campus to elevate the student experience, foster access and inclusion, develop wellness initiatives, and champion student success,” said Pratt President Frances Bronet. “Delmy brings with her a deep connection to student life and a great passion for our creative community. She will be a great addition to Pratt’s senior leadership team.”
In her role at Pratt, Lendof will provide leadership and direction in the areas of Career and Professional Development; Counseling Services; Health Services; Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation; Interfaith Campus Ministry Council; International Student Affairs; Learning/Access Center; Parent and Family Programs; Residential Life and Housing; Resilience, Wellness and Well-Being Project; Student Advocacy and Care Coordination; Student Conduct; and Student Involvement and Orientation.
“Pratt’s mission, strategic plan, and commitment to students’ expressing themselves through various forms of art and design deeply excites me,” Lendof said. “In every step of the interview process, I felt the warmth of the people, a sense of community, and the pride and love for Pratt. I am delighted to be joining such a vibrant community and getting to know the students, faculty, and staff.”
Before joining Pratt, Lendof served in several key student affairs positions at New York University (NYU) Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. As associate dean for student affairs, Lendof was the school’s senior student affairs officer, including oversight of student advisement; registration services; crisis response, counseling, and wellness; and student engagement and leadership. She also served as a Title IX adjudicator. As assistant to the senior vice president for student affairs, she worked on resolution of complex student concerns and guiding student behavior, and oversaw crisis response and compliance with protocols for crisis intervention. While serving as director for residential staff and programs, she was responsible for all residential life functions of a system serving approximately 11,800 undergraduate and graduate students in 23 NYU facilities. She oversaw 60 professional staff members and more than 350 student staff members, the annual department funding allocation of staff recruitment, training, and residence hall programming and renovations. Lendof is also an adjunct assistant professor at NYU Steinhardt and Teachers College, Columbia University, and has been an invited speaker at other universities throughout her impressive career in higher education.
In addition to her roles at NYU, Lendof has held student affairs positions at Rutgers University; Teachers College, Columbia University; and State University of New York College at Old Westbury. As an active voice supporting student diversity, inclusion, and social justice, she has published and co-authored several pieces on the topic, ranging from Addressing Diversity: A Multi-Pronged Approach Is Necessary to Meet the Needs of a Changing Student Body and the Staff Who Serve Them (ACUHO-I Talking Stick) to Connecting Conduct and Social Justice (In Hudson, J., Acosta, A., & Holmes, R. C. (Eds.)). In recognition of her many accomplishments, she has received several awards for her leadership, strong student-focused philosophy, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Lendof is highly involved in regional and national organizations and has presented at a number of conferences. She currently serves as a co-chair for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community (LKC). She will be serving as an expert-in-residence at the joint Northeast Association of College and University Housing Officers (NEACUHO) and Mid-Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers (MACUHO) regional conference in October 2021.
Lendof is a proud first-generation college student who received a doctor of education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has a master of science in college student development from Long Island University and earned her bachelor of arts in politics, economics, and society from the State University of New York College at Old Westbury.