Darrien Davenport serves as the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Temple University, a role he has held since January 2025. In this capacity, he provides executive leadership for student advocacy, crisis response, student conduct and community standards, disability resources, student support and basic needs initiatives, and university-wide behavioral intervention and CARE systems. As a senior leader within the Division of Student Affairs, he advances a student-centered, equity-driven framework that integrates wellness, accountability, belonging, and institutional coordination across Temple’s campuses.
A native of Philadelphia, Darrien brings more than twenty-five years of professional experience, including over fifteen years in higher education spanning student affairs, student success, enrollment management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and executive search consulting. His leadership is grounded in strengthening systems that promote access, persistence, and holistic student development, particularly for first-generation students, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ students.
Prior to joining Temple, Darrien served as a consultant with WittKieffer, where he supported executive search and leadership strategy initiatives across higher education and healthcare organizations. He also held several senior leadership roles at Gettysburg College, including Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Assistant Vice President of College Life, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees, and Executive Director of Multicultural Engagement. In these capacities, he led institution-wide diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging strategy; partnered closely with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees; and oversaw key student life operations and inclusive excellence initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Darrien served at York College of Pennsylvania as Interim Dean of Enrollment Management, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, and Director of Intercultural Student Life and Global Programming, where he advanced enrollment strategy, student engagement, and cross-cultural programming efforts.
Throughout his career, Darrien has remained committed to teaching, mentorship, professional development, and cross-sector collaboration. He holds a B.S. in Economics from West Chester University, an M.S. in Leadership and Business Ethics from Duquesne University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. He resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with his family.