Dean of Students Office
5221 Gullen Mall
351 Student Center
(313) 577-1010
doso@wayne.edu

HOME > MEET THE STAFF

Dean of Students Dr. David J. Strauss Dr. David J. Strauss has been Dean of Students since January 2002, the first Dean of Students for WSU in more than 30 years. Dr. Strauss received his Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership from The Ohio State University, his Masters degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana University, and his Bachelors degree in Economics from Bucknell University. Dr. Strauss grew up in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Strauss' wife of 18 years is Amy and he has a son Nate, 12 and a daughter Caroline 6. Dr. Strauss invites you to stop by his office anytime for candy, conversation (he loves to tell you stories about the many things on his wall), and any assistance you need.

Associate Dean Student Conduct Officer Rick Earnest Rick Earnest has been an employee of Wayne State University for over 20 years. During his tenure, he has held such diverse positions as University Ombudsperson and Senior Assistant Director of Student Center and Program Activities. Mr. Earnest is currently the Associate Dean of Students and the University's Student Conduct Officer. Mr. Earnest received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Wayne State University. The Associate Dean currently supervises Student Organization Services in the Dean of Students Office, and coordinates the University’s disciplinary system for violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Campus Life Advisor Student Council Advisor Leadership Laura Pechta Laura has been with the Dean of Students Office since July 0f 2002. She received her B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Hope College in 1996 and her M.A. in Organizational Communication from Purdue University in 2000. Being involved in several student organizations as well as orientation in college drew her towards student activities. She has worked in student activities at four universities since she graduated from college but enjoys Wayne State because of its diverse and energetic students.

Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life Audra Kovalchuk Audra graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 2001 and a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 2003, both from Saginaw Valley State University. Before coming to Wayne she worked as the Assistant Director of the Student Life Office at SVSU for two years, and a graduate assistant for one year. At WSU Audra works as the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life. She oversees the training and programming aspects of the Resident Assistants and works as the Junior Judicial Officer regarding judicial cases in the residence halls. Audra is a life member of and advisor to Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and is a member of Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity.

Campus Life Event Planner Tiny Sebastian Tiny is a recent graduate of Wayne State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has actually been a member of the Dean of Students Office since 2002. She was a student assistant for the office until 2005 and returned in January of 2007 to become a Campus Life Event Planner. While at WSU, she was very involved on campus as the President of Student Council and as a chapter founder of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, INC. She now assists many of the organizations she was a part of and worked with in planning events and programs.

Fiscal and Personnel Officer Veronica Richards Veronica has been an employee of Wayne State University since February of 1995. She currently holds the position of Fiscal and Personnel Officer. She accepted this position in August of 1998. Her primary responsibility is to oversee student organization and departmental budgets. Veronica previously worked as an Accounts Payable Clerk and Office Supervisor in the Disbursement department. She is a graduate of Wayne State University, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Office Manager Antoinette Gillery Muse Nett (as she prefers to be called) has been an employee at Wayne State University for fifteen years. She has worked in Room 351 for all fifteen of those years. As Office Manager, Nett and the student staff work as liaisons between the student groups and their advisors. They assist in filling out financial forms, maintaining files, and the basic operation of the office. They try to make your office visit informative and satisfactory. Please stop by or call - they are here to help you.

Marketing Coordinator Denise Dejonghe Denise joined the Dean of Students Office and Wayne State University in 2005 after previous positions in advertising, graphic design and teaching. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is working on a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology at Wayne State University. She handles print and web marketing to promote campus life and activities.