Reasoner Named Vice President of Student Affairs

Reasoner Named Vice President of Student Affairs at Kutztown University

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Desiree Reasoner has been named vice president of Student Affairs at Kutztown University, announced Tuesday by university president Dr. Philip Cavalier. Reasoner has served KU for 26 years, most recently as assistant vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs for Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services since 2024, and as interim vice president since August.

Reasoner will oversee areas related to student affairs and the quality of student life and success on campus, including Residence Life, Housing and Dining, Public Safety and Police Services, Health and Wellness Services and the Dean of Students office.

"I am very happy to name Des Reasoner to the permanent role of vice president of Student Affairs at Kutztown University," Cavalier said. "Des brings a wealth of experience, expertise and success to the role from her long history in student affairs roles at Kutztown. Her institutional knowledge, commitment to our students and collaborative approach will be a great benefit to KU for many years to come."

Reasoner began at KU in 2000 as residence life coordinator, overseeing two residence halls. She was promoted to assistant director of Housing and Residential Services in 2003, a position she held for 12 years. She was responsible for housing's Code of Conduct, emergency response protocols and the recruitment of graduate and undergraduate student staff.

Reasoner served as executive director of Residence Life from 2016-24. She managed and directed a 3,200 resident student population, including the hiring of staff, budget oversight, facility management, safety and health regulation enforcement. She created a master plan and helped lead efforts surrounding renovations, new construction and improved services.

In her role as assistant vice president (2024-25) and now interim vice president (2025-26), Reasoner provides senior-level oversight for residential life operations while collaborating closely with admissions, academic affairs and student success teams to support recruitment, retention and student engagement initiatives. Her work emphasizes strategic enrollment planning, crisis response, student persistence and the holistic residential experience.

"When I started at KU all those years ago, staying here long term was not part of the plan, but I fell in love with the campus, the culture and the people," Reasoner said. "Kutztown University is a special place, comprised of incredible students, faculty and staff. Many of these people have supported me along the way and I am deeply grateful to my past and present mentors, the students and staff I have worked with in Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services, colleagues and friends across the campus, as well as my family for their love and guidance over the years. I am excited to take this next step in my personal journey and honored to serve as the vice president of Student Affairs as we work together to continue to move KU forward in the future."

Reasoner earned a Master of Education in student affairs in higher education from KU, along with a Bachelor of Science in psychobiology from Albright College.