Patricia Mahon, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Overseeing a breadth of programs centering on career and professional development, counseling and ADA services, international and multicultural affairs, student activities and leadership, and residence life, among others, Dr. Patricia Mahon promotes a comprehensive learning experience that fosters student development on a number of planes: intellectually, socially, and ethically. Her leadership and staff development ensure student support, advocacy, involvement, and success - the foundations of an exceptional and expansive co-curricular experience.
While working towards a master's at Eastern Montana College, today known as Montana State University-Billings, Dr. Mahon served as a residence hall director, quickly rising through the ranks to become the associate director of admissions/enrollment management. Dr. Mahon then accepted a position as director of Admissions at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, where she would spend over a decade gaining invaluable experience in student recruitment, as a registrar, and eventually as the associate vice president for student affairs/registrar. While at Fort Hays State University, she took a leave of absence to attend Kansas State University to pursue a doctorate and complete an internship in the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
In 2000, Dr. Mahon joined the Mines community as vice president for student affairs and dean of students, serving on the executive council, university cabinet, and a number of civic and nonprofit organizations. She is also a faculty member for the South Dakota State University graduate education program at the University Center in Rapid City.
Dr. Mahon earned a BS in secondary education and English, with minors in Spanish and history, from Montana State University and a PhD in counseling and educational psychology with higher education administration emphasis from Kansas State University. She attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Institute for Educational Management, in 2010.