Episode 97- A Sense of Community with Frank Cuevas

Office Hours with John Gardner

Frank Cuevas serves as the vice chancellor for the Division of Student Life. Student Life departments provide the daily support students need to learn, lead, and serve on campus and in our community. We provide students with transformational experiences that are critical to realizing their academic and personal aspirations.

The vice chancellor is the chief student advocate for the campus. This role supports the development, assessment, and improvement of campus life and student experiences that meet the university’s mission, priorities, and strategic plan.

As vice chancellor, Cuevas and his leadership team are responsible for student care and support, health and wellness initiatives, and leadership and engagement opportunities. He oversees over 500 staff members and a division budget of approximately $90 million. Additionally, he manages 3.7 million square feet of facility space that includes on-campus housing, campus recreation, the Student Health Center, the Frieson Black Cultural Center, and the Student Union.

Cuevas has led significant capital projects at UT. He lead the planning and construction of six residence halls from 2013 to 2018, the Student Union in 2019, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council monuments in 2021. Additionally, Cuevas served as a central leader of UT’s COVID-19 pandemic response team where his focus was on safe and effective student programs and services. In 2021, Cuevas announced a new strategic plan for Student Life. This involved a division-wide reorganization to foster an environment where students learn, lead, and serve.

Cuevas earned his bachelor’s in international affairs, his master’s in higher education, and his doctorate in higher education administration from Florida State University. Cuevas began his student affairs career at The Ohio State University as a residence hall director. Following his time at The Ohio State University, he returned to Florida State University where he worked in housing and various leadership roles for more than 15 years. In 2010, Cuevas joined UT as the executive director of University Housing and has served in several leadership roles within Student Life. Cuevas is also an adjunct assistant professor for the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.