Executive Leadership

Joining the University in July 2021, Allen Groves serves as the chief student experience officer for Syracuse University, reporting to Chancellor Kent Syverud. He leads an experienced team of professionals who shape an unsurpassed student experience through meaningful and holistic services and support. Groves provides strategic direction for the division, leading all aspects of the student experience, including student health and wellness, public safety, conduct, student living, extra-curricular involvement, Greek Life, inclusion and Career Services.

Following a 16-year career practicing law, Groves served as Dean of Students at the University of Virginia for 14 years prior to joining Syracuse University. He earned a J.D. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in history from Stetson University.

Dawn Singleton joined Syracuse University in July 2023 as the vice president of student transition, access and inclusion, overseeing New Student Programs, Student Living, the Intercultural Collective (Disability Cultural Center, LGBTQ Resource Center, Multicultural Affairs, Native Student Program, 113 Euclid and the Barner-McDuffie House), the Center for International Services, Student Health and Wellness, and Parent and Family Services. With a focus on enhancing sense of belonging and supporting a community welcoming to all, Singleton also leads the division’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives.

Singleton brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education spanning leadership roles in student development, residential life, and student success and inclusion at a variety of colleges and universities. She has led multiple initiatives to enhance student success and belongingness.  Singleton earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University.

Kyle I. Dailey joined the Division in January 2022 and serves as the associate vice president for student involvement and engagement. In this position he serves as the executive team lead for Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Competitive Club Sports, Career Services and divisional Communications and Marketing. Additionally, he leads the Division's Operational Framework assessment and the development of Student Leadership Programs.

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Dailey held student affairs leadership roles at Cedar Crest College, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, University of Georgia and Kent State University. He holds a master's degree in higher education administration from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Sheriah N. Dixon began her role as Dean of Students in the Student Experience division on Nov. 1, 2022.  As Dean of Students, Sheriah leads the teams in Community Standards, Student Outreach and Support, Student Title IX Case Management and Student Remote Support Programs. Additionally, Sheriah co-chairs the Threat Assessment Management Team and the Chancellor's Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence. Dixon brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education, including roles in student conduct, community standards, equal opportunity and Title IX, and residence life. She has worked in all aspects of student conduct policies, investigations, and processes, and has led efforts focused on creating positive living-learning environments.

Sheriah earned a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree in criminal investigation from SUNY Canton.

Craig A. Stone was appointed Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services in April 2022.  Within the Student Experience Division Stone leads a team of over 200 staff, directing all administrative, operational and financial functions of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Emergency Management and Global Safety and Support units.

Stone has more than 38 years of public safety experience. He previously served as officer, and then lieutenant, with the Columbus Ohio Division of Police; the Deputy Director of Public Safety for the City of Columbus; Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Chief of Police at Ohio State University; and Director of Campus Safety and Chief of Police at Cleveland State University.

Stone has served nearly two decades as team lead assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.  He has served as a subject matter expert and adjunct professor for Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.

Stone received a master of science degree in the administration of justice from the University of Louisville. He is also a graduate of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Executive Development Institute; Southern Police Institute, 120^th Administrative Officers Course; Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Leadership College; and the United Way of Central Ohio, Project Diversity Program.

DPS is the third largest full-service law enforcement entity in Onondaga County and responds to approximately 60,000 calls annually.  The department provides emergency first-responder service to the University community, including law enforcement and security patrols, investigations, crime prevention, emergency and non-emergency communications, fire and life safety and global safety support services.

Cory Wallack, Ph.D., serves as associate vice president of student health and wellness. In 2019, began serving as executive director of student health and wellness, providing leadership in achieving the University’s integration of health and wellness services through the pioneering Barnes Center at The Arch, a state-of-the-art health, wellness and recreation complex. He oversees student counseling, health care, recreation, pharmaceutical, nutrition and health promotion services on campus, as well as the "Together We Thrive" program. Wallack joined Syracuse University in 2003, and had served in roles of staff therapist, assistant director of counseling and director of counseling prior to being named executive director.

Wallack is a national expert in college student mental health and is a creator of the best-practice Campus Connect Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Program. He holds a Ph.D. and a master’s in counseling psychology both from the University of Florida.

Kevin Costello began his role as assistant vice president of business operations and staff development for the Student Experience Division in January 2024. In this position he is responsible for overseeing and supervising the Division's Budget, Human Resources, IT, Staff Performance Partnership Process, Staff Professional Development and Student Employment units and operations. Before assuming this role, Costello has been with the Student Experience Division since 2011. During this time he held positions as assistant director of budget, budget manager and budget director. His prior experience includes several years in public accounting, where he worked as a senior auditor for a local accounting firm and later as an assistant controller in the private sector.

Costello is a two-time graduate of Syracuse University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business analytics from the Whitman School of Management. Costello is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of New York.

Steven T. Herndon joined Student Experience in January 2023, as the assistant vice president for student living, overseeing all aspects of the student living program, including residential life and off-campus and apartment living. Herndon also partners with Academic Affairs in the development and delivery of more than 20 living learning communities (LLC).

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Herndon had a highly successful 20-year career at the University of Dayton where he held leadership roles within residential life and housing. An expert in residential life and education and a sought-after speaker about the future of the Student Affairs profession, Herndon has been a regular presenter, educator and leader within the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute, Association of College and University Housing Officers-International and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He was also recognized as a 2022 Diamond Honoree of the ACPA.

A two-time graduate of North Carolina State University, Herndon earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English with a concentration in African-American literature.

Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D., joined Student Experience in January 2024, as the executive director of esports, overseeing all aspects of the esports program, including competitive teams, recreational programming and the facilities on campus. Gawrysiak also oversees all of the esports academic programming on campus which is a joint effort between Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and Newhouse School of Public Communication.

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Gawrysiak held professor and administrative roles in esports and sport management at Shenandoah University for 11 years. During this time he led not only creating the esports programs on campus but one of the first in the country. In addition to being an expert in collegiate esports and education, he’s a sought-after speaker for topics of scholastic esports. Gawrysiak has been a regular presenter, educator and leader within the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors (NAECAD) and North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF). He was also recognized as the 2021-22 NACE Director of the Year.

A three-time graduate of the University of Georgia, Gawrysiak earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management, a master’s degree in sport studies and a doctorate in sport management and policy.

Dr. Lombard joined Syracuse University as the senior director of Student Engagement in September 2023 before stepping into the role of executive director of student engagement in August 2024. In this role, she has reporting oversight of unit leads in Student Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, and works to more closely integrate student involvement work between these important units. She also assumes oversight of all University policies governing space reservation and use, and student organization registration and operations that have been assigned to the Division, ensuring they are regularly evaluated, updated and administered.

Her more than three decades of higher education experience have focused on student learning, engagement and success at several other institutions including, most recently, at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, where she served as Dean of Students and retired after more than 12 years of service.

A Michigan native, she holds degrees from Ohio University (Ph.D., Higher Education), Michigan State University (M.A., Student Affairs Administration), and Western Michigan University (B.S., Public History and Anthropology). She enjoys living in the University neighborhood with her daughter, baking and reading, and is an avid Chicago Cubs fan.