NEWS
NORMAN, Okla. – David Surratt, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students, has been named a 2026 Pillar of the Profession by NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.
“Dr. Surratt embodies the heart and soul of what it means to be a student affairs professional,” said ShaRhonda Maclin, Ph.D., assistant vice president for student affairs and associate dean of students, who led the nomination. “His unwavering passion for students creates spaces where every voice is valued and individuals can thrive.”
This prestigious national recognition honors extraordinary individuals whose lifelong work has made a meaningful impact on the student experience. Each year, only a select group of leaders across the country is chosen for the distinction. Surratt joins the 2026 cohort, bringing national visibility to the work being done across OU to support student success, well-being and inclusion.
A two-time graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Surratt leads the very institution that helped shape his own journey. He oversees the Division of Student Affairs, which serves more than 34,000 students across OU’s Norman, OU Health, OU-Tulsa and OU in Arezzo campuses. His leadership continues to advance university-wide efforts focused on advocacy, career development, wellness and cultivating a strong sense of belonging for all students.
“This honor is deeply personal to me,” Surratt said. “OU shaped my life as a first-generation student, and it’s a privilege to now support the next generation of students as they discover their voice, build community and create lasting impact. This recognition is also a tribute to the incredible colleagues and students I’ve had the joy of working alongside at OU and throughout my career.”
With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Surratt is widely recognized for his student-centered leadership and commitment to expanding access and opportunity.
His recent honors include being named a 2024 Diamond Honoree by the American College Personnel Association. Surratt continues to mentor professionals, shape national conversations on student development and champion institutional strategies that support students both inside and outside the classroom.
“He has this rare gift of being fully present,” Maclin said. “Which allows him to navigate tough situations with compassion and clarity. His leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about empowering others to lead with him.”
Surratt and his 2026 Pillar of the Profession cohort will be formally recognized in March 2026 at NASPA’s Annual Conference.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
The University of Oklahoma has received a transformative gift from Jon and Shannon McCartney, which will name the McCartney Family Tunnel of Champions, the McCartney Family Gate of the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the McCartney Family Grand Lecture Hall in the Michael F. Price College of Business. The gift will also support the Inspiring Champions and the Athletic Director’s Discretionary Fund, in addition to establishing the McCartney DFW Career Trek program at Price College.
The University of Oklahoma today celebrated the opening of a new air traffic control tower at the OU Max Westheimer Airport. Standing 106 feet tall, more than double the current 52-foot facility, the new tower will modernize air traffic control operations and improve safety for pilots and students operating in the airspace.
Do I buy groceries or pay the electric bill? Should I pawn some of my belongings to afford my prescription? My child is sick, so I will have to miss work to take care of him. Those are just a few of the difficult choices that OU-Tulsa health professional students confronted during the Community Access to Resources Experience. The role-playing activity challenged students to navigate the financial, family and other pressures that can affect a person’s health and ability to follow medical advice. Held annually during the SCM Institute orientation week, the experience is designed to generate understanding and build empathy.
