Staff

Brian L. Watkins, M.Ed.
Director
bwatkins@umd.edu

Brian has been director of Parent and Family Affairs at the University of Maryland since January 2005. Before joining the Division of Student Affairs at Maryland, Brian served as assistant director of Academic Enhancement at DePaul University (IL). During his tenure at DePaul, Brian played a fundamental role in the development of effective initiatives for new students and parents, and was responsible for the creation of several innovative programs for orientation. Prior to that time, he was the director of campus activities and student involvement at Arcadia University (PA). While at Arcadia, Brian also served as adjunct professor in sociology and held a special appointment from the university president on the Affirmative Action Committee.

Brian earned a Master of Education degree in higher education and student affairs administration from The University of Vermont and a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in psychology from Hope College (MI). Brian was the recipient of the 1999-2000 Outstanding New Professional Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region II, and was a nominee for the 2000 C. Shaw Smith New Professional Award from the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). He is a published author on diversity issues in higher education, and is known for his engaging and humorous parent presentations. Brian is a contributor to stories in local and national media, and was recently featured in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine and on NBC's Today Show.

Zimri Diaz
Coordinator, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
zimri@umd.edu