»Chris Hutchison, Ph.D. - Vice President and Dean of Students

Chris Hutchison, Ph.D. serves as Vice President and Dean of Students at Chapman University. Appointed in July 2026, he leads initiatives focusing on the student experience and fostering student engagement, belonging, well-being, and success across the Chapman community.

Chris joined Chapman in 1998 as Assistant Director of Student Activities and has served the university in leadership roles over three decades, including Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Students. He has helped build and expand student programs, campus traditions, student facilities, and support services on the Orange and Rinker campuses that reflect Chapman’s personalized approach to student development and community building.

Working closely with university leadership, Chris has played a key role in shaping the growth of Student Affairs to meet the evolving needs of a nationally ranked university. He is recognized for his thoughtful leadership, sound judgment, and commitment to creating engaging environments, and meaningful experiences that help students develop lasting relationships, appreciate different perspectives, and build a strong sense of self.

In addition to his administrative leadership, Chris has 18 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in leadership development through Chapman University's Attallah College of Educational Studies, helping prepare the next generation of higher education and organizational leaders. He has presented sessions at national and regional conferences on topics including civic learning, democratic engagement, pedagogy, student leadership and development, as well as having facilitated institutes for new professionals and graduate students in Student Affairs. Chris has also been on the planning committee for six professional association conferences and currently serves on the NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education professional association Region VI Advisory Board.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego, a Master of Science in Educational Studies (Higher Education) from the University of Oxford, and a Ph.D. in Education from Chapman University.