Dr. Valerie L. Epps serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs and provides executive directions for the Division of Student Affairs’ programs and services: Financial Aid, Health Services, Career Services, Student Life and Activities, Counseling and Student Development, Disability Resource Center, TRIO Programs, Testing, Judicial Services, Housing, Orientation and Outreach.

Dr. Epps received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Education, Higher Education Academic Administration from Southern Illinois University (SIU) at Carbondale, Master Degree in Counselor Education from (SIU) Edwardsville and a BS Degree in Early Childhood (SIU) Edwardsville.

Prior to her arrival at the University of the District of Columbia, she provided leadership, professional development and direct supervision for the Student Services division as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Student Life at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania for the following areas: Admissions, Financial Aid, Health Services, Housing and Residence Life, Career and Professional Development Center, Student Activities, The Academic Success Center, First-Year Experience, and Guidance and Counseling Department of Education.

During her tenure at Cheyney, she was appointed Co-Chair to the Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee; Chair, Emergency Hall Safety Task Force; Chair, Alcohol and Drug Prevention Task Force; Chair, Outcomes Assessment Committee; Chair, Student Development Committee; Chair, Scholarship Committee and Co-Chair, Enrollment Management Committee.

She served as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Chairperson for the Learning Support Division and Associate Professor of Education at Atlanta Metropolitan College in Atlanta, Georgia. Also, Dr. Epps was elected to serve as Chair for the University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Learning Support and was appointed by the USG Chancellor to serve as a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution. She served as an USG System Mediator and a Mediation Coach for the USG Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. She received the first USG Chancellor’s award for being an Outstanding Campus Liaison for Alternative Dispute Resolution.

While serving as the Director of the Multicultural Student Services Center at the George Washington University (GWU), Dr. Epps was nominated by the President of (GWU), Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, for selection in the American Council of Education (ACE) Fellows Program. She spent her fellowship year with the President of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Dr. Freeman Hrawboski, and the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, Dr. Donald Langenberg.

Students at GWU initiated two (2) Valerie L. Epps Community Days for the District of Columbia for her outstanding service to students. She was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation, a pin from the (GWU) President for Outstanding Service to the university, and many plaques from student organizations.

Dr. Epps’ previous positions include serving as the Director of the Academic Support and Career Development Center, Director of Tutoring and Counseling Program, Director of the Student Support Services Grant Program, Coordinator for Disabled Student Services, Mathematic Clinician and an Early Childhood Education Teacher.

Dr. Epps is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is wife of John S. Epps, Ph.D., the proud mother of two sons (Darius and Kareem) and has one granddaughter (Ivey).

Student Life
Website
Dr. Janice Borlandoe
Associate VP for Student Affairs

Marc Strothers serves as Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs. As Assistant to the Vice President, he has responsibilities in managing and supervising judicial affairs, coordinating the Student Leadership Institute and providing leadership for technology services, special projects and the UDC Student Center Initiative.

Mr. Strothers received his Bachelor’s degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina and his Master’s in Education from Virginia State University. He

is currently pursing a Ph. D at Morgan State Univeristy in Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. Strothers has had a varied employment history in higher education, including positions with West Chester University and Cheyney University in Pennsylvania; the New Jersey Department of Education, the University of Toledo, Iowa State University, the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Virginia State University. 

Financial Aid
Website

Willis Parker
Acting Director

Dollie Ellis began her employment at the University of the District of Columbia, formerly Federal City College in June 1970 as a mathematics instructor and academic advisor. Mrs. Ellis’ career experience extends for more than thirty years and includes service to a number of committees, groups and organizations in the District of Columbia and at the University. At the University, she served on the following: the 2000 Self- Study Periodic Review Task Force,

Instructional Support Services Committee,the Strategic Planning Committee and as an advisor to the UDC-HBCU Honda Campus All-Star Challenge competition team.  

Mrs. Ellis’ employment history includes serving as the University’s mathematics coordinator, administrative budget officer, acting education program administrator, supervisory skills specialist and program coordinator of the Upward Bound program.
Presently, she serves as Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

She is past president of Phi Delta Kappa International the District of Columbia Education Services for the TRIO program and a consultant to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Public Housing Initiative Graduates Program.

Mrs. Ellis earned her bachelor’s of science degree from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina and her Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of the District of Columbia. She has pursued additional training through a variety of workshop experiences including District of Columbia Public Schools workshops for faculty and administrators.

Mrs. Ellis believes that “the mark of success is an endless journey of patience, commitment and faith. “

Velma McDowell has served three Vice Presidents for Student Affairs over the past 35 years at the University of the District of Columbia.  As an Administrative Assistant, to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Mrs. McDowell provides support in the areas of student learning, health and positive lifestyle development , personal growth and leadership. Her other activities include service on University wide committees, service to academic departments, business leaders, and alumni. As a devoted professional, Mrs. McDowell has

developed meaningful and lasting camaraderie among her peers and students.