Students may have seen Dean of Students BaShaun Smith’s four kids running around Western dining hall, or heard about his extensive Cleveland Browns collection in the dean of students’ office, but what does the dean of students actually do?
As the dean of students, BaShaun Smith supervises the Office of Residence Life, the Miller Center for Student Disability Services, the Rinella Learning Center and the Dean of Students Office.
On Mondays, he communicates with Jayne Brownell, the senior vice president for student affairs and her assistant vice presidents regarding student concerns and upcoming events.
"A day in the life is very random, depending on what is happening in the larger community," Smith said.
One thing that stays consistent throughout the school year is his weekly event, Break Bread with Bashaun. Smith and other members of his team connect with students every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m.
“We have lunch with student organizations in our office suite where we buy them Chipotle,” Smith said. “Tell me about your organization; tell us how the Dean of Students Office can be supportive. How can we assist? How can we advocate for you? They are some really good conversations.”
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
During Break Bread with BaShaun, Smith has helped student organizations with anything they might need. For example, some organizations have experienced issues with funding programs and other events, so he connected them with the Special Events Fund in the Dean of Students office. Smith has also introduced students to Scott Walter, the assistant vice president for student life, regarding Associate Student Government funding issues.
In addition to connecting and learning about student organizations, the dean of students will meet with organizations when there is rising tension in hopes of resolving the conflict and finding a common ground.
“In my mind, think of a Thanksgiving table: you're sitting down, you are more vulnerable, you're catching up, you're actually listening because you're eating and the other person's talking," Smith said. "You're more inclined to listen to what the other person has to say."
While Smith enjoys connecting with students, that connection does not always start off on a positive note. Most cases of discipline go to the Office of Community Standards. However, more extreme cases, especially when suspension is involved, will move up to him.
"When it comes to me, it's unfortunately really bad,” Smith said. “You have allegedly done something so bad that it is a threat to the larger community. My job as a dean of students is to keep our campus safe, and we do that in a partnership with the [Miami University Police Department].”
Even though Smith has many strong connections to organizations, students often don’t know what his actual role is on campus.
"I mean, sure, I'd like to know what [his job] is, more than anything," sophomore and finance major Japveer Singh said.
Based on the name “dean of students,” sophomore biology major Stephanie Karoutsos said she thinks about someone who interacts and oversees students as a whole.
“When I think about [the dean of students], I think of somebody who looks over the students that go [to Miami] and helps them academically,” Karoutsos said. "That is kind of about all I know."
With all of these responsibilities wrapped together, the dean of students provides care, advocacy and support for the campus community.
"I get to hopefully interact and impact 4,000 plus students,” Smith said, “and that's something that I don't take for granted.”
Read More
Recap: Miami football drops to 0-3 following loss in home opener against UNLV
By Kethan Babu | 12 hours agoMiami football drops to 0-3 with its recent loss against UNLV in the 2025 home opener at Yager Stadium
