You know that learning happens everywhere and anywhere, anytime and all the time. This concept is at the heart of the residential liberal
arts college, and no institution understands this better than
St. Lawrence. So at St. Lawrence, the dean of student life is as much partner in the education of our students as is any faculty member.
Joe Tolliver, who began his tenure in this role on July 1, 2006, is a
seasoned educator with decades of experience in the special atmosphere we value.

“ I have had experience getting to know institutional culture, and I
really like what I have learned about St. Lawrence,” Tolliver said in his summer letter to students and families, the very first action he took after stepping inside his StudentCenter office. “And I know myself. I know my own values fit well with those of St. Lawrence. You will find me to be a person who values personal responsibility and integrity, creating safe space for students to learn and grow, and space
for staff to help students in every way.” Tolliver came to St. Lawrence after eight years as dean at Haverford College; prior to that he held the lead student life positions at Skidmore College, Connecticut
College and Trinity College. His career also includes responsibilities at Barnard College and Pace University. He graduated from another North Country college, SUNY Plattsburgh, where he also earned a master’s degree in college student personnel administration. He
earned a second master’s degree and a doctorate from Columbia University Teacher’s College.

At St. Lawrence, Tolliver leads the division of student life, which includes co-curricular education and programming; career services; health and counseling services;residential life; the St. Lawrence Leadership Academy; the David Garner Center for Student Volunteerism; multicultural affairs; safety and security; and, with the
president, the chaplaincy. He further shares responsibility for St. Lawrence’s nationally praised First-Year Program, working collaboratively with the dean of academic affairs and the associate dean of the first year, to help realize the program’s aims and objectives.

“To all St. Lawrence parents, I extend an invitation to a partnership,”
he said. “You and I realize that college is a place that nurtures competent, smart, emerging young adults. You and I matured when we succeeded and when we failed. Your students need to be allowed
to do the same. When they make mistakes, they will learn the consequences and I will ask them tocommunicate those consequences
with you. I do want to say, though,that some mistakes are far more
serious than others. If your student’s academic or physical life is endangered by a mistake, we will contact you directly.”

Tolliver anticipates working very closely with student organizations
from the first days of the fall semester, and through his work with them, getting to know many students. Having just unpacked his own
car and settled into his new home, he’s ready to greet new and returning students from their first hours on campus, and seeing them in Dana Dining Center, the Northstar Café, Augsbury Physical Education Complex, Newell Field House, and at the myriad campus events on the fall calendar.