Division of Student Affairs

Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell assumed the role of  vice president for student affairs in January 2018, having previously served in the role on an interim basis since June 2017, and as UToledo’s associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students since April 2016.  In July 2019, Dr. Cockrell received the title of vice provost to strengthen and enhance co-curricular initiatives with the academic enterprise.

He is responsible for the conduct, counseling, leadership, multicultural programmatic efforts, and advocacy of University of Toledo students. “Dr. Flapp,” as he is known, also has oversight of student life activities — including UToledo’s residence halls and more than 250 student organizations — and the Thompson Student Union on Main Campus.

A native of Columbus, Miss., Cockrell holds a bachelor of science in family studies from Mississippi University for Women, a master of science in educational leadership/student affairs administration from Florida International University, and a doctor of philosophy in urban higher education from Jackson State University. Additionally, he has toured and studied higher education policies and practices in England, Scotland and Ireland.

As Senior Business Manager for the Division of Student Affairs, Kathy is responsible for fiscal and human resources management for all units within the division. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Toledo.

Dr. Sammy Spann currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. His areas of responsibility include Student Conduct and Community Standards, Student Advocacy and Support, Student Involvement and Leadership including Greek Life and the University Counseling Center. He is also the Director of Camp Adventure. The Camp Adventure™ program serves children and youth of military families overseas by integrating UT students learning with service.

Dr. Spann received his Ph.D. in Special Education/Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Toledo; his M.A. in Special Education and Behavior Disorders from The University of Northern Iowa and his B.S.in Family and Consumer Sciences; Infant/Child Development from Fort Valley State University.

Dr. Spann works closely with several international and domestic student groups on campus as well as mentoring minority students. He does numerous presentations every year and has worked in higher education for over twenty years. Dr. Spann has also traveled extensively in over 72 countries around the world. He has attended Harvard Business School, High Potential Leadership Training, Millennium Leadership Institute and serves as a Board Member for the UTMC Credit Union, Blue Key Honor Society and Camp Adventure to name a few. He enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife and two daughters.  

Valerie Simmons-Walston is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Kent State University where she earned a B.A. in Sociology, then went on to Hampton University where she received a M.A. in Counseling. She is currently writing her dissertation and is elated to be in the final stages of earning a Doctorate in higher Education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Walston was recently appointed the newest Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Toledo in Toledo OH. This position affords her the opportunity to supervise a team of stellar professionals who work within the offices of Residence Life, Housing, University Counseling, the University Recreation Center, and Facilities/ Building Services. She has served in a myriad of Leadership roles over the past twenty years within the Public School System, and in the arena of Higher Education. Prior to her most recent position, Walston served in the role of Dean of Students at Brenau University for 11 years. At Brenau, she had oversight of Residence Life Staff, Career Services, Judicial Affairs, Office of International Studies and the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs. Additionally, Walston provided resources for students who experienced academic difficulty and managed the University conduct/discipline process. She is a passionate student advocate and has received numerous accolades for her accomplishments to include a feature in the 2016 Leadership edition of MOXIE, a women’s magazine published by the Gainesville Times in Gainesville, Georgia. Walston worked as a School Counselor/Director for 8 years within the Norfolk Public Schools system in Norfolk Virginia.

Community Service is important in the fabric of Walston’s Life. She has recently accepted a seat on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross in Toledo, OH. In the past, she has served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, volunteered as a mentor with toastmasters, taught a women’s Sunday school class, and lead multiple service projects for her sorority- Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc. Zumba is her favorite pastime along with collecting dolphins. She has a great sense of humor, contagious personality, and a zest for life.

Dr. Michele Soliz serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Success and Inclusion within the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Toledo.  In addition to leading the Office of Multicultural Student Success, Dr. Soliz provides leadership to Upward Bound, Toledo Excel, Career Services and the Catherine S. Eberly Center for Women.

With 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Soliz has served in numerous key roles across the institution including in the Office of the President.   As the Executive Director of Academic Support Services and in collaboration with partners across the institution, Dr. Soliz increased the usage and visibility of academic support services which led to increases in retention and graduate rates of students.  Prior to her role in the provost’s area, Dr. Soliz served as the Dean of Students.  During her tenure, LGBTQA initiatives, including an LBGTQA advisory board, were formed and the institution was recognized as an LBGT friendly campus by Campus Pride, the leading national organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students.

She is active in the UT Latino Alumni Affiliate, serves as a mentor to Latinas and African American female students and teaches Managing Diversity in the Workplace for the College of Business and Innovation.

Dr. Soliz received her bachelor of arts in Ethnic Studies from Bowling Green State University and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from UToledo in higher education, where her research focused on Latino student baccalaureate completion rates and student engagement.

She cherishes spending time with her three children, Nina, Jay, and Alejandro and granddaughter, Lena.

With a MA in Advertising from Michigan State University and BA in Communications from the University of Toledo, Abhishek wants to bring strategy to the creative world of visual communication. He works with offices across the division to fulfill their marketing and communication needs. He is responsible for bringing campaign strategies and creative ideas to life. He also works closely with the university's Marketing and Communications department to develop promotional material which support the offices' outreach efforts.

His experience with different forms of media such as website, video production, photography, and social media inform his multimedia approach towards marketing. He is excited about learning new technology and executing it as part of his multimedia universe.