Longtime campus leader promoted to new role guiding student life and leadership at PC
Dr. Andrew Peterson, a devoted advocate for student engagement and inclusion at Presbyterian College, has been named vice president of student affairs and dean of students, president Dr. Anita Gustafson announced this week.
Peterson, who joined PC in 2014, has steadily advanced through the ranks of student life leadership at the college. In his new role as PC’s chief student affairs officer, Peterson will oversee campus events, Greek life, new student orientation, residence life, student conduct, and student involvement. He will also oversee campus police and auxiliary services, which includes facility rentals, campus dining, the bookstore, and the mail center.
Peterson will continue to shape student leadership development programs, including retreats, workshops, and training opportunities grounded in the Social Change Model of Student Leadership Development.
“Drew Peterson has been a transformational leader in our campus community,” said Dr. Gustafson. “He leads with care, purpose, and deep commitment to the well-being and success of our students. His promotion reflects not only his remarkable talent and dedication, but also the profound impact he has made at PC. I am excited for the future of student life under his leadership.”
Peterson said he is grateful for the opportunity to continue his career at PC.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I deeply value the transformative power of higher education and am honored to continue under Dr. Gustafson’s inspiring leadership,” he said. “My 11 years at PC have been enriched by partnerships with exceptional students, faculty, and staff who make our successes possible. Presbyterian College has become home to me, and I’m dedicated to cultivating that same feeling of connection and belonging for everyone in our True Blue community.”
A Proven Leader in Student Affairs
Peterson began his tenure at PC as associate dean of student life and director of residential life. In January 2022, he was promoted to dean of students, and in April 2023, he accepted an additional role as interim Title IX coordinator.
Prior to joining Presbyterian College, he served as assistant director of residential life at Ohio Wesleyan University from 2011 to 2014.
In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Peterson has led the development of signature student programs at PC, including the Emerging Leaders Retreat for first-year students and annual campus leadership retreats. He has been a strong advocate for fostering inclusive leadership and community dialogue, chairing the college’s National Coalition Building Institute chapter and playing an active role on PC’s College Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.
An Accomplished Scholar and Mentor
Peterson is a 2007 graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and English. He went on to earn his master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from The Ohio State University in 2011 and recently completed his Doctor of Education in leadership for organizations from the University of Dayton in 2025.
He has contributed extensively to the student affairs profession through national and regional leadership. From 2019 to 2021, he served on the executive board of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) as the director for small colleges and universities, where he created an online network and organized the organization’s first small school symposium. He is also a past president of the South Carolina Housing Officers Association.
At PC, Peterson is known for bringing energy and creativity to the classroom. He developed and taught a unique First-Year Experience course titled “There and Back Again: A Journey into College with Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit.’” His ability to blend literature, leadership, and personal development has earned him praise from students and colleagues alike.
A Committed Member of the Clinton Community
Beyond his work on campus, Peterson is active in the Clinton community, where he lives with his two sons, Jake and Spencer, and their dog, Cookie. He has served on Eastside Elementary’s School Improvement Council and volunteers as a youth sports coach through the Clinton YMCA.
In 2023, Peterson was honored as an inaugural inductee into Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students—an accolade that reflects his ongoing support for students from all backgrounds.
His promotion to vice president of student affairs and dean of students marks a new chapter in a career devoted to building a vibrant, inclusive, and student-centered campus culture.
“Presbyterian College is a place where students are invited to explore who they are and who they want to become,” Dr. Gustafson said. “Drew has not only helped students find their way—he’s walked beside them every step of the journey. We are fortunate to have him guiding this next generation of Blue Hose leaders.”
