Shannon M. Finning, Ph.D.

Dean, Student Affairs

Dr. Shannon M. Finning joined Babson College in January 2011 and served as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs until June 2012 when she was promoted to Dean of Student Affairs. In this role, she provides leadership, advocacy and support to Community Standards, Health Services, Student Affairs Assessment and Administration, the Office of Faith and Service, Residence Life, Sorenson Center for the Arts, and Student Activities and Leadership (including the Student Government Association, Greek Life, and the Campus Activity Board. Shannon also provides indirect oversight to contract services for Babson Dining (Sodexho), the Campus Bookstore (Barnes & Noble), and all campus transportation services (weekday and weekend shuttles and Zipcar). Additionally, Shannon chairs the College-wide Hazing Prevention Task Force, leads the crisis management team for the College, serves as the appeal officer for the College Honor Board and works closely with Public Safety on all student-related matters.

Prior to her Babson experience, Shannon held progressively responsible positions in orientation and transition programs, assessment, residence life, career services, judicial affairs, student activities, veteran student services, and admissions and provided leadership and advocacy for staff in academic success, spiritual life, international student and scholar services, and multicultural programs for more than 15 years. Shannon also held academic appointments at Clemson University and Drexel University and taught student development theory, foundations in higher education, and research methods in the master of education in counseling (student affairs) program and master of science in higher education program, respectively.

Shannon earned a doctor of philosophy degree in educational leadership from Clemson University (SC), a master's degree in counseling (student affairs) from Bridgewater State College (MA), a bachelor's degree in communication from Bryant University (RI), and is a graduate of the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) program at Wellesley College. She has presented at four national conferences and served as a consultant to several universities across the country on supporting sophomore student success. A staunch advocate for student engagement, success, and retention initiatives, her research interests include new student, sophomore, and veteran student retention and success programs.