Oklahoma State University names Marsh vice president for student affairs
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess has announced the appointment of Dr. Brent A. Marsh as vice president for student affairs, reinforcing OSU's commitment to putting students first and enhancing the comprehensive support services that contribute to student success.
Marsh will begin on Sept. 2, with final approval from the OSU/A&M Board of Regents expected during its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Marsh joins OSU from the University of Mississippi, where he has served as assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students since August 2019. He brings over 25 years of higher education administration experience across various institutional sizes and types, always keenly focused on enhancing the student experience.
As VPSA for OSU, Marsh will lead the Division of Student Affairs, which includes student services and auxiliary services such as Campus Life, Counseling Services, Career Services, Dining Services, Housing and Residential Life, Student Conduct, Student Support, Wellness, the Hargis Leadership Institute, the University Store, and the Student Union.
During the comprehensive search process, Marsh emerged as one of three outstanding finalists who participated in campus interviews. Hess noted that Marsh received enthusiastic support from Student Affairs professionals, student leaders and the broader campus community.
"On my first day as president, I made a promise to always put our students first. That promise isn't just words, it's the heart of everything we do, and it's what drives us to find the very best people to support the OSU community," Dr. Hess said. "Dr. Marsh understands that at OSU, we live by the Cowboy Code, which means we always do what's right, especially when it comes to supporting our students."
Hess extended appreciation to the Search and Screening Committee, particularly Committee Co-Chairs Associate Provost Shannon Baker and Vice President Karen Chen, for their commitment and thoughtful leadership during the search process.
Prior to his role at Ole Miss, Marsh served for five years as vice president for student affairs at Rogers State University in Claremore, with campuses in Bartlesville and Pryor, giving him familiarity with the state's higher education landscape. Before arriving at RSU in 2014, Marsh served in progressively greater roles at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, beginning as dean of students in 2004 before being promoted to vice president for student life in 2010. His earliest professional experiences were in student housing at two institutions in Abilene, Texas.
"I'm humbled and incredibly excited to join Oklahoma State University during a pivotal time in the institution’s history,” Marsh said. “I am eager to work with President Hess, the leadership team, student affairs colleagues, student leaders, alumni, faculty and others to provide transformative student experiences and resources that foster personal growth and student success.”
A Kansas native, Marsh holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Kansas State University. Additionally, he earned a doctorate of philosophy in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University.