Debra S. Merchant Appointed VP for Student Affairs & Services

Debra S. Merchant has been appointed Vice President for student Affairs & Services at the University of Cincinnati.

With over 15 years of experience at UC, Merchant has been highly involved in providing strategic leadership and a vision centered on students.

“Debra brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this position.  In addition to being a gifted leader, she is a great listener, skilled collaborator and exemplary university citizen.  I look forward to partnering with her to transform UC’s student experience,” said President Santa J. Ono.

While serving as Vice President for Student Affairs & Services, Merchant will play an integral role in shaping the campus culture to achieve student engagement, inclusion, and pride at UC, and is responsible for all student life and a broad portfolio of student support services.   In her role, Merchant will serve on the President’s Cabinet.  Merchant will also report to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

“Over the past year, I have grown to respect and admire how committed Debra is to the success of our students here at UC,” stated Interim Senior VP for Academic Affairs and Provost Lawrence J. Johnson.

Merchant has been serving as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs & Services since January of this year. Prior to her current role, Debra served as the university’s Director of Academic Excellence & Support Services (AESS), Director of the Disability Services, and more recently, Associate Vice President of Student Services.

“I look forward to continuing the work with the staff in the Division of Student Affairs to create a campus experience that is supportive as well as vibrant and engaging. This is an exciting time to be engaged with UC students and to be a part of the transformation that is occurring across the university community,” says Merchant.

Merchant earned her B.A. in Learning and Behavior Disorders from Morehead State University and her M.S. in Learning and Behavior Disorders from the University of Kentucky. Debra also earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky’s College of Law.