Steven Erwin, Ed.D

Steven K. Erwin, Ed.D. began his professional career as a Residence Hall Director at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.  He spent 10 years in the University of Wisconsin System at three institutions:  three years at UW-Stevens Point, one year at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside (Director of Residence Life), and six years at the University of Wisconsin Platteville (Assistant Director of Student Housing).  In 1994, he joined the staff at Pittsburg State University (KS).  Over a 29-year career at PSU, he served as the Director of University Housing and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs before serving 21 years as the senior student affairs officer under various organizational structures and titles before retiring in June 2023 from the Vice President for Student Life role.

Steve earned an A.A from Olney Central College, a B.A. and M.S. Ed. from Eastern Illinois University, an Ed. S. from Pittsburg State University, and an Ed. D. from the University of Arkansas. 

Active professionally for many years in the Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I) and the Upper Midwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (UMR-ACUHO), he served in a variety of leadership roles for both organizations.  For ACUHO-I he was a member of the Credentialing Board, the 2001 International Conference Steering Committee, and the International Conference Program Committee for multiple years.  For UMR-ACUHO he held a variety of Executive Board positions including serving as President in 1993.

Dr. Erwin has served as a Higher Learning Commission Peer Reviewer since 2016.  At Pittsburg State University he served as a key member or chair of many wide-ranging strategic groups addressing critical challenges.  Steve chaired several key senior level searches for the university including those to select the current Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost and the current Vice President for Administration and Finance.  In 2016, he led the establishment of a formalized association of the senior student affairs officers in the MidAmerica Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

At Pittsburg State University, Dr. Erwin successfully led efforts to renovate all existing residence halls on campus and to add residential facilities for expanded occupancy.  He guided work to see the addition of many new facilities on campus including a student service center, a student recreation center, a student health center, a fine and performing arts center, and expanded outdoor recreation and intramural spaces, as well as renovation of the campus dining hall and multiple phases of renovation and expansion of the student center.  He led expansion of the campus recreation program, addition of prevention and wellness and violence prevention/victim’s advocacy services, development of integrated physical and mental health services, expansion of DEI programs and resources, implementation of student legal services, and creation of a campus shuttle and safe ride transportation service.