Rupprecht Named Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Kutztown University

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University has named Dr. Stephen M. Rupprecht as assistant vice president and dean of students. Rupprecht brings nearly 30 years of higher-education experience and will begin at KU Monday, June 17.

Rupprecht has served in various student affairs roles at Philadelphia-area colleges, including as dean of students at Cabrini University from 2018-22. As dean of students, he supervised and provided direction and support for the departments of Counseling and Psychological Services, Residence Life, Public Safety, Dining and Health Services in the areas of planning, personnel, budgeting, program development, operations, assessment and contract management. He also served on the president’s cabinet and contributed as a leader within the Division of Mission, DEI and Student Engagement (MDaS), playing an important role in student advocacy, leadership, staff development, strategic planning, ensuring student welfare and enhancing campus culture. He also served as the university’s deputy Title IX coordinator for students, administered the student conduct system and chaired the university’s COVID-19 Task Force.

He also served as Cabrini’s director of Residence Life (2017-18) and an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education (since 2019).

“I’m excited to meet our students, collaborate with faculty and professional staff, and join a very talented, experienced and caring student affairs team,” Rupprecht said. “KU reminds me so much of my undergraduate experience, including a breathtaking campus environment. I can’t wait to get started.”

Prior to Cabrini, Rupprecht spent 16 years at Drexel University, Philadelphia, including 10 years as the assistant dean of students and director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (2007-17). He provided oversight for residential staff across nine buildings and responded to crisis situations on campus. An experienced crisis manager and responder, Rupprecht has also built a reputation for operational preparedness and planning. As the director of Campus Activities and Greek Life, Rupprecht worked to transform the fraternity/sorority community at Drexel to one focused on community standards, values, achievement and planning, and alumni involvement, all behind the mantra “Together Forward.”

Rupprecht also spent four years (1997-01) as the assistant director of Greek Life at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., and two years (1995-97) as the assistant director of Leadership and Service Programs at Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.

“I am so excited to welcome Stephen to the KU family,” said Dr. Stephen St. Onge, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “As a seasoned Dean of Students, Stephen will bring not only experience, but a joy of working and learning with students to our campus.”

Since 2022, Rupprecht has been the advisor and special assistant to the vice president for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., where he’s served as a senior conduct officer, working with students and faculty on high-level conduct cases.

Rupprecht earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and management from Drexel University, Philadelphia, a Master of Arts in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, and a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the State University of New York Oswego, Oswego, N.Y.