Fayetta M. Paulsen Lecture

Each year, Residence Life at BGSU sponsors what is known as the Fayetta M. Paulsen Lecture as a staff development initiative for Student Affairs and the Higher Education program. This lecture is in honor of Fayetta Paulsen who served as Dean of Students at BGSU for many years. She retired after nearly 30 years at BGSU and was involved both on our campus and nationally at many levels.

2023 Paulsen Lecture |
The Future of Student Affairs: Worthy is the Work

April 4, 2023
11 a.m. | BTSU Theater

Office of Residence Life, Director

Miami University
211 Warfield Hall
451 East Spring St,
Oxford, OH 45056
MiamiOH.edu/reslife

Dr. Vicka Bell-Robinson

Dr. Vicka Bell-Robinson (she, her, hers) has been working in Higher Education for the past 20 years, more currently as the Director of Residence Life at Miami University and Visiting Faculty Member in the Student Affairs and Higher Education Program. Prior to joining Miami in 2007, she held positions at North Central College, a small private institution, and Ball State University. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois, a Master of Education in College Student Personnel from Grand Valley State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Miami University.

Dr. Bell-Robinson values fostering meaningful campus partnerships and utilizing data-driven decision making to advance student development and organizational management with the goal of aligning student needs, shifting priorities and changes in structure. Her research interests include current trends in higher education, student success and workforce sustainability. She is very active in the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International and recently served as the Chair of the Public Policy Advisory Committee and Co-chair of the Workforce Sustainability subcommittee for the Future of the Profession Taskforce. She and her partner, Frank, live in Fairfield, Ohio with their three children, Juliana, Olivia, and Elijah.


Past lecturers have included:

  • Alexis Kanda-Olmstead (2019)
  • Dr. Kathleen Kerr (2018)
  • Dr. Jancie Gerda (2016)
  • Dr. Kathy Collins (2015)
  • Dr. Sherry Woosley (2014)
  • Dr. Susan Komives (2013)
  • Nancy Footer (2012)
  • Dr. Pat Mielke (2011)
  • Dr. Jan Arminio (2010)
  • Dr. Peggy Jablonki (2009)
Fayetta M. Paulsen

Fayetta M. Paulsen

In June of 1990, Fayetta M. Paulsen retired as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Residential Services at Bowling Green State University. This event honors her 27 years of service to the University. While at BGSU, she also served as the Associate Dean of Students, Acting Dean of Students, and Dean of Women. Prior to coming to Bowling Green, she was Dean of Women at Luther College, Associate Professor and Chair of Health and Physical Education for Women at Augustana College, and Professor and Acting Director of Health and Physical Education for Women at St. Olaf College.

Ms. Paulsen was a graduate of Western Michigan University and MacMurray College. She also attended the University of Colorado and attended the doctoral program at Syracuse University. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and honors, including membership in Alpha Lambda Delta, Mortar Board, Phi Lambda Theta, Alpha Xi Delta’s 75th Anniversary Award of the top 10% Members for Achievement, the Ohio Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors’ (OAWDAC) 1985 President’s Recognition Award, and the Ohio College Personnel Association’s (OCPA) Phillip A. Tripp Distinguished Service Award. In 1989, BGSU’s Chapter of Mortar Board was named the Fayetta M. Paulsen Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board. In 2003, Ms. Paulsen was honored by ACPA as a Diamond Honoree.

Professional organizations played an important part of Ms. Paulsen’s career. She served as president of OAWDAC, OCPA, and the Ohio Association of Student Personnel Administrators (OASPA.) Additionally, she held several offices within the National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. She also published articles in the Journal of NAWDAC and Fraternity Month. She made presentations throughout the state, region, and nation.

Ms. Paulsen died February 20, 2005.

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services, access@bgsu.edu, 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to the event.

Updated: 03/07/2023 02:42PM