Supporting our Saint Louis University students is a team effort, encompassing a wide range of skills, services and interpersonal relationships. Our division leadership represents the best of us, and their guidance steers the work we do every day in service to the SLU campus community.
Vice President of Student Development
Sarah Cunningham, Ed.D.
Since Feb. 15, 2021, Sarah Cunningham has served as SLU's vice president of student development. Most recently, she served as the assistant vice provost for student life strategy and policy at Johns Hopkins University. In this role, she managed and led university-wide initiatives that support student success, specifically student health and well-being, crisis response, and student retention.
Cunningham has contributed to the field of student affairs for over 15 years. Before arriving at Johns Hopkins, she worked at the University of Chicago as the executive director for student leadership, involvement and student life centers, and assistant dean of students. Before UChicago, she also worked at the University of Florida, George Mason University and Slippery Rock University.
Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Arts in Combined Social Studies from Youngstown State University, a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services from Western Illinois University, and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University. Her dissertation research looked at the lived experiences of student leaders at public universities who held a vote on their institutions' boards of trustees. She enjoys taking in college sporting events, taking hikes with her rescue dog Bailey, traveling and the theater.
Senior Leadership Team
Eric Anderson
Assistant VP for Student Well-being
Eric Anderson coordinates and expands SLU student wellness services across the Division of Student Development and the University. His portfolio includes the Student Health Center, University Counseling Center and Campus Recreation and Wellness.
Sharilyn Bazile
Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Development
Matthew Goodwin, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Student Development
Matthew Goodwin has been a student affairs practitioner for over 20 years, with areas of expertise related to Catholic student affairs practice, fraternity and sorority life, and student affairs administration. In his role as chief of staff, Matt assists the vice president on initiatives related to assessment, staff development, organizational effectiveness, and communication. He is a gardener, a reader, and for better or worse – a passionate Chicago Bears fan. He and his wife, Maria, live in St. Louis with their dog, Trixie.
Melinda Heikkinen
Assistant Vice President, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
As assistant vice president for public safety, Chief Melinda Heikkinen is responsible for operational leadership and personnel management. She oversees the physical security of the campus, emergency preparedness, Clery compliance, investigations, campus-wide security technology, program assessments and departmental audits.
Victoria Martin, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice President, First-Year Experience and Students in Transition
Dr. V has been a student affairs practitioner and student accomplice for over 15 years, with expertise in high-touch populations (first-generation, Pell recipients, and minoritized populations), orientation and first year experience, academic support services, and housing and residence life. As assistant vice president for first year experience and students in transition, Dr. V is responsible for supporting programming for high-touch populations, parent and family Engagement, new student programs, first year experience and EAB Navigate. In her free time, she enjoys visiting family, traveling, cooking, watching basketball, and adding to her sneaker collection. Dr. V loves exploring St. Louis with her dog, Skittles.
Donney Moroney
Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President
Donney Moroney oversees the Dean of Students Office, Academic Support, the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources and the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards.
Moroney has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and a commitment to advocating on behalf of student success.
Donna Bess Myers
Senior Advisor to the Division
Donna Bess Myers serves as senior advisor for the division, creating space for mission-critical work, including division-wide staff development and onboarding initiatives, acting as a liaison for critical campus partners and helping to create a landing point for graduate students seeking services on campus.
Ben Perlman, Ph.D.
Assistant VP for Student Engagement
As AVP of student engagement, Ben Perlman is responsible for strategic planning, operations management, and effective daily supervision of all organizational components of the Busch Student Center, Housing and Residential Life, the Student Involvement Center and related services on behalf of the Division of Student Development.
Evelyn Shields
Director, Shared Business Services
Evelyn Shields has been with Saint Louis University for 10 years. She oversees the budgeting, business and finance, and human resources functions across the Student Development division. She coordinates procurement, contracting and IT and technology services for all Student Development departments.