Paul J. McLoughlin II, Ph.D. ’11 (Higher Education) was recognized as a 2025 NASPA Foundation Pillar of the Profession, one of the highest honors in the field of student affairs. McLoughlin currently serves as Colgate University's Vice President and Dean of the College.
Paul McLoughlin
Each year, the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Foundation, the leading professional association for the student affairs field, honors a select group of individuals as Pillars of the Profession. These honorees have demonstrated sustained leadership and service that have significantly shaped institutions and advanced the student affairs profession at the national level. McLoughlin’s nearly three decades of dedication exemplify these values through his commitment to inclusive education, mentorship, and institutional leadership.
Since joining Colgate University in 2017, McLoughlin has served as Vice President and Dean of the College, overseeing academic and student life initiatives. Previously, he held senior student affairs roles at Lafayette College and Harvard University, where he spent more than a decade supporting undergraduate education and student development.
Both a scholar and a practitioner, McLoughlin’s research on high-achieving, low-income students has earned national recognition. He is also a contributing author to several influential volumes addressing inclusion and student affairs leadership. As an active member of NASPA throughout his career, McLoughlin has served in numerous leadership, faculty, and advisory roles within the association.
In his acceptance remarks, McLoughlin described the honor as a “humbling full-circle moment,” noting NASPA’s role as a professional home that has shaped his growth as a leader, scholar, and mentor.
“The association allowed me to grow and give back in the form of original research, scholarship, and as a teacher and mentor. I am grateful to NASPA for its influential support of my career,” he shared.
The Pillar of the Profession designation recognized not only McLoughlin’s individual achievements but also the lasting impact of his leadership on students, colleagues, and the broader higher education community.
Read more about Paul McLoughlin and his acceptance remarks.