Meet the Staff
Who We Are
The division’s more than 120 professional and student staff in eight departments are dedicated to helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom. The following staff members comprise the leadership team in our division.
Central Administration Leadership Team
- Lori Berquam, Vice Provost for Student Life and Dean of Students
- Kevin Helmkamp, Associate Dean of Students
- Argyle Wade, Associate Dean of Students
Division of Student Life Department Directors/Assistant Deans
- Kipp Cox, Assistant Dean and Director, Dean of Students Office
- Laurie Cox, Assistant Dean and Director, International Student Services
- Donte Hilliard, Assistant Dean and Director, Multicultural Student Center
- Joanne Gurstelle, Interim Director, Staff and Programs, Associated Students of Madison
- Gabe Javier, Director, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Campus Center
- Eric Knueve, Assistant Dean and Director, Center for Leadership and Involvement
- Carren Martin, Director, Center for the First-Year Experience
- Cathy Trueba, Assistant Dean and Director, McBurney Disability Resource Center
Contact Us
Division of Student Life
75 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1380
Phone: 608-263-5700
Fax: 608-265-5646
TTY: 608-890-1682
E-mail: dean@studentlife.wisc.edu
Staff Biographies
Lori Berquam
Vice Provost for Student Life and Dean of Students
Educational background
- BSE: mathematics and psychology, Truman State University
- MSE: college student personnel, UW–La Crosse
- PhD: college and university leadership, Colorado State University (in process)
Work/scholarship history: UW–La Crosse, UCLA, UW–Whitewater and UW–Madison
How long have you been on campus: 15 amazing years!
Primary job responsibilities: Leading the Division of Student Life — interconnecting the learning that happens everywhere
Hometown: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
Best part about being in Madison: The opportunities to be active and engaged
What do you enjoy most about working with students? Their energy and their inquiry!
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Being outside! Golfing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, skiing, biking, etc.
Kevin Helmkamp
Associate Dean of Students
Educational background
- BA: government and international studies, Notre Dame
- MS: educational psychology and guidance, Eastern Illinois University
Work history: UW–La Crosse, University Housing; Indiana University, University Housing; UW–Madison, University Housing; and UW–Madison, Division of Student Life
How long have you been on campus? 21 years
Primary job responsibilities: Oversight of Student Assistance and Judicial Affairs, Center for the First-Year Experience, Center for Leadership and Involvement and Associated Students of Madison. Co-chair of University Threat Assessment and Response Team.
Hometown: Avilla, Indiana
Best part about being in Madison: Being a small part of a great university.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? When I have the opportunity to be a part of a student’s educational experience.
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? With my kids, baseball, golf
Argyle Wade
Associate Dean of Students
Educational background
- BA: psychology, Truman State University
- MS: college student personnel, Emporia State University
- PhD: higher education administration, Saint Louis University
Work/scholarship experience: Director, Housing and Residence Life, Saint Louis University
How long have you been on campus? Since September 2007
Primary job responsibilities: As associate dean of students, provide support for the Multicultural Student Center; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Campus Center; McBurney Disability Resource Center and International Student Services. Coordinate divisional assessment, fundraising and IT support.
Hometown: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Best part about being in Madison: It is incredible in so many ways: people, arts, education, community, summers, lakes, politics, science and sports — just to name a few!
What do you enjoy most about working with students: Each one has a unique story of what brought them here, what keeps them here and where they are going.
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Golf, reading, movies, my family, video games, traveling, volunteer firefighter
Ervin H. “Kipp” Cox
Assistant Dean and Director, Dean of Students Office
Educational background:
- BS and MA: history, UW–Oshkosh
- MEd: South Dakota State University
- Completed doctoral coursework, University of Illinois
Work/scholarship history: Residence hall director, Ball State University; area coordinator and assistant director, Residential Life, South Dakota State University; assistant director of housing and assistant dean of students, University of Illinois; assistant dean of students, UW–Madison; director, Student Assistance and Judicial Affairs, UW–Madison
How long have you been on campus? Since the 2003-04 academic year
Primary job responsibilities: Director of Student Assistance and Judicial Affairs, which assists and provides support services to students and the university community, and manages academic and non-academic misconduct systems
Hometown: Oconto, Wisconsin
Best part about being in Madison: The incredible resources the university offers to students, faculty and staff
What do you enjoy most about working with students? Every day there is a new opportunity to help a student with an important issue that will assist them in their academic and personal success
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Reading, hunting/fishing, road biking, participating in sports, tent camping, music, cooking
Laurie Cox
Assistant Dean and Director, International Student Services
Educational background:
- BA: history, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
- MA: history, Boston University
- PhD: educational leadership, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California. Doctoral study focused upon the intellectual and psychological needs of international students as they make their transition to life overseas and return home.
Work/scholarship history: Associate director, University of Southern California; Chaminade University-Honolulu, HI; Bentley College, Waltham, MA and Katharine Gibbs School, Boston, MA.
How long have you been on campus? Since December 2007
Primary job responsibilities: As assistant dean and director, International Student Services, I strive to provide dynamic and imaginative leadership for International student services and programs.
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Best part about being in Madison: The warm and friendly people, the beautiful lakes, nature conservancies, rolling hills, farm stands and autumn!
What do you enjoy most about working with students? It is an honor and a privilege to work with students just as they are beginning to consider what kind of role they wish to play in the world. It is very rewarding to know that my staff and I make a small contribution in helping students to achieve some of their academic and personal goals.
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Swimming at the pool; walks in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy; and checking out the latest cultural or agricultural festival
Eric Knueve
Assistant Dean and Director, Center for Leadership and Involvement
Educational background:
- BA: sociology and mathematics, St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin
- MPA: nonprofit management, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University
- Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs Program, University of Oslo, Norway
Work/scholarship history: Program director, Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, Wisconsin; experiential education specialist, Student Organization Office, UW–Madison; director, Center for Leadership and Involvement, UW–Madison. Teaching experience: facilitator, Student S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), UW–Madison
How long have you been on campus? Since November 2005
Primary job responsibilities: Connect and coordinate campuswide leadership development and involvement opportunities; budget and personnel administration for the Center for Leadership and Involvement; oversight of Involvement Unit; oversight of Leadership Development Unit; oversight of Student Organization Administration Unit; and assist in advancing the mission and vision of the Division of Student Life
Hometown: Defiance, Ohio
Best part about being in Madison: Being able to bike to work in about the same amount of time it takes to drive due to the excellent bike trails
What do you enjoy most about working with students? Working with students primarily because of their passion and enthusiasm to get things done, and watching a student develop leadership skills during his or her time on campus
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Camping, biking, running, playing basketball, and time with family and friends
Joanna Gurstelle
Interim Director, Staff and Programs, Associated Students of Madison
Educational background:
- BS, Social Welfare and Women & Gender Studies – UW-Madison
- MS, Curriculum and Instruction–Health Education – UW-Madison
Work/scholarship history:
Advisor to the Student Services Finance Committee in ASM; Program Development Coordinator at the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Admissions Specialist, Blackhawk Technical College; Teaching Assistant, Gender and Women’s Studies Department, UW-Madison
How long have you been on campus:
4 years with ASM, plus 6 years as a student
Primary job responsibilities: Work with students in ASM on developing, implementing and evaluating their goals and projects, supervise and lead professional staff members, serve as a resource to students for student governance
Hometown: Roseville, MN
Best part about being in Madison: Summer festivals, great local foods and easy access to outdoor activities
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
Their enthusiasm, interest in new ideas and those moments when you can be a part of a student’s personal development
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work?
Cooking, gardening, taking my daughter and dog for walks and to the many playgrounds near our house
Gabe Javier
Interim Director, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Campus Center
Educational background:
BA: English and Communication, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
MA: Higher Education Administration, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Work/scholarship history: Past chair, National Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
How long have you been on campus? I arrived in August of 2011
Primary job responsibilities: Leading a great team of people in creating and sustaining communities that are inclusive for people at the intersection of their multiple identities
Hometown: St Louis, MO
Best part about being in Madison:It’s beautiful here, the parks and lakeshores make for great walks with my dog, Dino.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? I crave those moments of learning where experience, opportunity and openness collide. The creative tension that exists when people grow is a great thing and I am constantly pushed by the students that I am lucky enough to work with.
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Cooking dinner with friends and taking Dino on long walks, or perhaps a weekend trip to Chicago.
Donte Hilliard
Assistant Dean and Director, Multicultural Student Center
Educational background:
- BS: psychology, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
- MA: black studies, The Ohio State University
- ADB: speech communication, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- MA: religious studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Work/scholarship history: adjunct professor, Department of Humanities, History, and Social Sciences, Columbia College Chicago; coordinator, DEPTH Youth Program, Chicago Theological Seminary; assistant director, Black Cultural Center Purdue University; instructor for the Department of Speech Communication and the Black American Studies Program, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Publication:
- Hilliard, D. Nebi. Divas to the Dance Floor Please!: A Neo-Black Feminist
- Readin(g) of Cool Pose. Speller, Regina and Kimberly Moffitt eds. Blackberries and Redbones: Critical Articulations of Black Hair/Body Politics in Africana Communities. New Jersey: Hampton, 2010
How long have you been on campus? One year
Primary job responsibilities: Ensuring that all students have an authentic “Wisconsin Experience”
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Best part about being in Madison: ice cream
What do you enjoy most about working with students: Investing in the future
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Travel and reading
Cathy Trueba
Assistant Dean and Director, McBurney Disability Resource Center
Educational background:
- BA: special education, University of Utah
- MA: special education, UW–Madison
Work/Scholarship History: Twenty-plus years of experience in the field of postsecondary disability services, including program directorships at Dartmouth College and UW–Madison; member, national panel of disability experts for the Educational Testing Services, Inc., providing guidance on policy and fair practice to test takers with disabilities; member of the teaching faculty, University of Connecticut’s Postsecondary Training Institute. Have particular interested in hidden disabilities, including learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and autism spectrum disorders.
How long have you been on campus? Since November 1987
Primary job responsibilities: As director of the McBurney Disability Resource Center, responsible for the management of personnel and programmatic and financial operations, and the development and implementation of policy at the campus office for UW students with disabilities
Hometown: Bountiful, Utah
Best part about being in Madison: There is a great combination of big city energy and funkiness and small-town friendliness. I am also a big fan of the many lakes, ski and bike trails for year-round fun.
What do you enjoy most about working with students: Their willingness to dream big and go after what matters most to them.
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work? Working in the garden, thinking up different ways to combine ingredients to make great meals to share with friends, running, reading, and watching sons play soccer and basketball
Carren Martin
Director, Center for the First-Year Experience
Educational background:
- BA, Sociology, Northern Illinois University
- MA, College Student Personnel, Bowling Green State University
Work/scholarship history: Orientation Coordination, UW-Madison
How long have you been on campus: Since 1997
Primary job responsibilities: Currently Director of the Center for the First-Year Experience. Oversee orientation programming and initiatives, coordinate departmental budget and assessment.
Hometown: Lee, Illinois
Best part about being in Madison: Great mix of cultural and outdoor activities with easy accessibility to rural community.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I love being part of their learning and development process and watching them become more confident and competent.
How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work?
Reading, cooking/baking and spending time with my family.