Senior Administrators

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Valerie Simmons-WalstonSammy Spann, Ph.D.


Dr. Sammy Spann was named Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students effective July 1, 2022. Spann is a strong student advocate who has been part of The University of Toledo community for 20 years.

Dr. Spann came to UToledo in 2002, bringing the Camp Adventure program to campus and growing it to one of the largest training sites in the country. He went on to serve as executive director of student engagement, assistant provost for international studies and programs, and most recently served for five years as associate vice president and dean of students.

Dr. Spann will oversee student involvement and leadership, student advocacy and support, student conduct and community standards, multicultural student success, Greek life, career services, recreation, residence life programming and the Center for International Studies and Programs.

Dr. Spann said one of his goals is creating a focused student experience and belonging initiative to strengthen the culture of student-centeredness on campus.

Dr. Spann does numerous presentations every year and has traveled extensively in more than 72 countries. He has attended Harvard Business School’s High Potentials Leadership Training and Millennium Leadership Institute and serves as a board member for Blue Key Honor Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Toledo Early College High School.

A UToledo alumnus, Dr. Spann earned his Ph.D. in special education/curriculum and instruction from the Judith Herb College of Education. He has an M.A. in special education, severe behaviors and autism from the University of Northern Iowa, and a B.A. in infant and child development from Fort Valley State University. Dr. Spann’s work has been published in Liberian Studies Journal and Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Last Updated: 2/14/24