Kimberly Harvey named Alfred University Vice President for Student Experience

Beth Ann Dobie, Alfred University provost and chief operating officer, announces the appointment of Dr. Kimberly Harvey as the university's new vice president for Student Experience. Harvey will begin her duties Jan. 5, 2026.

Alfred University's Vice President for Student Experience is supported by an endowed gift from Michele HD '18 and Martin Cohen. A member of the university's Board of Trustees since 2001, Michele Cohen serves as chair of the board's Student Experience Committee and also serves on the Academic Affairs, Executive, and Governance committees. In 2018, Alfred University conferred on her the honorary degree, Doctor of Arts.

The Cohens have been steadfast in their philanthropic support of Alfred University, the alma mater of their son, Adam, who graduated in 2003 with a B.F.A degree. The Cohens' previous philanthropy has endowed the deanship of the School of Art and Design and Division of Performing Arts; established the Cohen Center for the Arts and Cohen Gallery; launched APEX, the university's applied experiential learning program, and made possible the construction of the Cohen National Casting Center Foundry. A groundbreaking ceremony for the state-of-the-art on-campus foundry was held in May, with the facility expected to be completed next year.

Their gift supporting the Vice President for Student Experience reflects the Cohens' ongoing support of Alfred University, particularly in the area of promoting and enhancing the student experience. Harvey comes to Alfred from Nazareth University, where she spent more than five years leading transformative efforts to strengthen the student experience through cross-campus collaboration focused on student well-being and belonging.

"I am genuinely energized by the opportunity to join Alfred University and lead the Student Experience team. Alfred's mission of helping students realize their purpose is deeply personal to me, and the image of its founders as 'doers' resonates with my own leadership style," Harvey said. "I see a direct connection between their spirit of purposeful creation and the way I approach my work-rolling up my sleeves, building systems that support students, and bringing people together around a shared vision."

"We are so excited to welcome Kim on board! Her passion for enriching the student experience is contagious," Dobie commented. "She is a collaborative, thoughtful leader who brings vast knowledge about higher education as well as student development. We look forward to welcoming Kim to our team as we work to advance Alfred University's strategic goals."

Harvey began her tenure at Nazareth as Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement (2019-21) before serving three years as Associate Vice President for Student & Campus Life and Dean of Students. In March 2024 she was promoted to Associate Provost for Student Experience and Dean of Students.

She led the offices of Residential Life and Community Standards, Student Engagement and Leadership, and Health & Counseling. In her expanded portfolio, she oversaw academic success areas: advisement, records, and registration, academic success and accessibility. She also served as interim leader of the Division of Culture, Community, and Belonging, which houses opportunities programs, Title IX, and Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Education for the past six months. During her tenure at Nazareth, the university saw significant increases in retention rates for first-time students. Prior to Nazareth University, Kim held roles at SUNY Geneseo and Gannon University.

Harvey said she looks forward to supporting and co-creating initiatives that support Alfred University's mission and strategic priorities; working with students to develop experiences to "help them thrive at Alfred University and beyond"; building strong, collaborative relationships across campus and with the local community to extend learning and belonging beyond the classroom walls; and shaping programs and systems, policies, and spaces that align with Alfred's mission and foster well-being, equity, connection, and mentorship.

"This role feels both professional and personal to me. As a first-generation student who has dedicated a career to creating transformational experiences for others, I feel a deep connection to Alfred's founding spirit and future promise," Harvey said. "Just as the founders shaped something lasting with their hands, minds, and will, I am ready to contribute to a student experience at Alfred that endures, inspires, and empowers generations to come."

Harvey has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from SUNY Fredonia, a master's degree in college student personnel administration from Canisius University, and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from the University of Rochester.

Dobie, who served as chair of the Vice President for Student Experience Search Committee, expressed her appreciation for her fellow committee members- Chelsea Ames, director of the Center for Advising; Jonathan Kent, former vice president for Enrollment Management; Artem Kolisnychenko '26; Garrett McGowan, professor of chemistry; and Mark Zupan, Alfred University president-as well as members of the Board of Trustees advisory committee: Michele Cohen, Kristen Klabin '92, and Bill Rice '78, and alumnus Michael Christakis '99, who is vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment at the University at Albany.