Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today announced that Timothy E. Sams, associate dean of students at the New York University Abu Dhabi campus, will join the Institute as vice president for student life, effective August 15. Sams is an experienced leader, student life authority, and senior administrator.

“Dr. Sams is an experienced leader with superior team-building skills, and an outstanding ability to enhance community and collaborate with multiple constituencies,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. “Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in bringing about progressive change to the undergraduate experience – both nationally and internationally. I look forward to his joining Rensselaer at this time, as we continue to implement the Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students (CLASS) program, our residential college model for undergraduates within a technologically rooted research university. I am confident that Dr. Sams will continue the momentum needed to elevate the breadth and quality of the CLASS program at Rensselaer.”

“I was drawn to Rensselaer by the energy and the dedication to students that was demonstrated by everyone that I met during the selection process,” said Sams. “I am eager to work with my wonderful colleagues in student life and across campus who every day help students to reach for and to achieve their potential, and who teach students to live and lead meaningful and impacting lives. Coming to the Capital Region is a ‘full-circle’ experience for me. I attended undergraduate and graduate schools in the area, and it is where I cemented my commitment to access and excellence in higher education. As I walked across the Rensselaer campus during my visits, I was reassured of these principles as I witnessed a vibrant and diverse campus rigorously in pursuit of educational and co-educational excellence.”

Sams joined NYU in 2010, assuming the role of associate dean at the new Abu Dhabi campus and responsibility for creating new and comprehensive student life programs there. He developed and implemented programs in judicial affairs, student services, spiritual life, dining services, first-year orientation, intercultural affairs, residential life/education, advising and counseling, on-call response, 360-degree student monitoring, conflict resolution, and crisis and emergency response management protocols. As a member of the NYU leadership team, Sams also assisted in crafting the strategic direction for the Abu Dhabi campus.

Prior to joining NYU, Sams worked for 12 years at Swarthmore College, serving as assistant dean of the college and director of the Black Cultural Center. While at Swarthmore, he also served as a class dean, and held a number of administrative and leadership positions in judicial affairs, academic counseling, student counseling, student conflict resolution, crisis management, student orientation, and multicultural leadership. He also developed and taught co-curricular initiatives and courses, community-based and service learning initiatives, educational and cultural developmental partnerships, and cultural-immersion projects abroad.

Sams was co-author and project director of two three-year, $750,000 violence prevention grants from the state Department of Health. These projects were designed to transform underserved youth, representing a partnership between Swarthmore and Chester-Crozer Hospital.

From 1994 until 1997, Sams served as director of the Multicultural Center at Williams College. During his tenure there, he was involved in extensive supervisory, fiscal, and programming duties. He also supported more than 15 multicultural and international student organizations, directed three multicultural centers and a Jewish religious center, and provided counseling, advising, and support services to all students, especially multicultural and international students.

Sams earlier served as coordinator of Minority Student Services and Counselor for the Higher Education Opportunity Program at the College of St. Rose in Albany. While there, he developed retention and support strategies for minority and economically disadvantaged students. He also directed campuswide staff development efforts on diversity and served as the chief affirmative action officer. Before coming to St. Rose, Sams worked at a number of positions at Sage College, Albany Adult Learning Center, and New York MLK, Jr., Institute of Non-violence.

Sams has also been involved in consulting for a wide variety of organizations, including: Barry University, Widener University, the United Negro College Fund, William Patterson University School of Education, the North Adams, Mass., City School District, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Nyack, N.Y.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Community Partner Award from Swarthmore College, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Union College, the Award for Recognition for an Outstanding Commitment to the Principles of Diversity and Multiculturalism from the Hudson Mohawk Association of College and Universities, and Adviser of the Year from the College of St. Rose. He has also published articles in his field, and has given speeches and lectures around the country.

Sams received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Temple University, a master’s in Africana Studies from the State University of New York at Albany, and his bachelor’s in history and sociology from Union College.

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu