Deborah Below

Deborah Below, originally from Washington, Missouri, received her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication in 1990 and her Master of Science in Administration in Public Administration in 1994 from Southeast Missouri State University. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2003. She began her career at Southeast Missouri State University as an admission counselor in 1990 and served as the Acting Director of Admissions in 1993 and the Interim Assistant Director of Residence Life in 1994. From July 1994 to 2001, Dr. Below served as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Jefferson College in Hillsboro. In 2002, she rejoined Southeast as the Director of Admissions and has held various roles with progressive responsibility. Since 2013, she has been the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success and the Dean of Students.

Endowing a scholarship provides Dr. Below with an opportunity to reward students for their perseverance and commitment to earning a college degree. As a member of the state of Missouri’s 1999 Affordability Commission and more recently as a team leader for Southeast’s 2013 Missouri Completion Academy Team, she understands that a student’s strong desire to complete college must be supported by the necessary financial resources to achieve the goal.