Dr. Brent Paterson

Brent Paterson has served in leadership roles at Illinois State University since 2001, and currently serves as Assistant to the President. His career in higher education spans more than 35 years holding positions in admissions, residence life, student conduct, and student affairs administration at four universities. Prior to becoming Assistant to the President, Brent served as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Illinois State University. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Educational Administration and Foundations, teaching courses in the college student personnel administration program. Brent spent 17 years in administrative roles at Texas A&M University, including serving as Dean of Student Life.

Brent has been active in NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the Association for Student Conduct Affairs (ASCA), and the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA). In 2015, Brent was named a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA for sustained professional distinction in higher education. He also is a recipient of the D. Parker Young Award from ASCA for outstanding scholarly and research contributions in the area of higher education law.

Brent has published over 30 articles and book chapters, and is co-author of three books on higher education. He also served as editor of the Journal of Student Conduct Administration and associate editor of The College Student Affairs Journal. He is co-author of an article in the Fall 2016 edition of Leadership Exchange, entitled “Managing the FLSA Final Overtime Rule: Resources for Student Affairs Compliance.” In April, Brent participated in discussions between higher education leaders and representatives from the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Labor regarding the implications for higher education in implementing FLSA Overtime Rule.

Brent holds a B.S. degree in elementary education from Lambuth College, a M.S. degree in counseling from the University of Memphis, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Denver.