Dr. Debra A.G. Robinson, vice chancellor for student affairs at Missouri University of Science and Technology, recently was appointed co-chair of the Council on Student Affairs, one of one of the 10 operational councils of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Robinson began her one-year term in November, along with co-chair Dennis R. Black of the University of Buffalo.

According to the APLU, the Council on Student Affairs exists “to provide both formal and informal forums for discussion and dissemination of information on issues related to student affairs programs at member institutions and on issues impacting the college student experience in general.”

The APLU is a non-profit association of public research universities, land-grant institutions, and many state university systems with member campuses in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Founded in 1887, APLU (formerly NASULGC) is the nation’s oldest higher education association. Dedicated to advancing research, learning and engagement, the association has been at the forefront of educational leadership nationally for more than 120 years.

Robinson was appointed vice chancellor for student affairs in January 2003. She joined the Missouri S&T student affairs staff in 1980 as a counseling psychologist. She later was assistant director and associate director of the Counseling Center, director of the Center for Personal and Professional Development, and associate vice chancellor for student and international affairs.

Robinson earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 1976 and her master of arts and doctorate degrees in education and counseling psychology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1977 and 1980, respectively. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the International Coach Federation and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). She served as president of Division 13 of the American Psychological Association, Society of Consulting Psychology, from August 2005 through August 2006.