Daniel Maxwell

Creating environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally requires thoughtful leadership and a deep understanding of the challenges they face. For Daniel Maxwell, Interim Vice President for Student Success and Student Life at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), this mission has been at the heart of his 36-year career in Higher Education (HE).

In today’s conversation, Daniel sat down with Jack Eagle, Co-Host of The Interview, to discuss his career journey, the evolving needs of diverse student populations, and how universities can foster meaningful connections in the post-pandemic era.

Daniel’s Journey

Jack: Can we start with a quick introduction to yourself and your institution?

I’m Daniel Maxwell, and I currently serve as the Interim Vice President for Student Success and Student Life at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). We’re one of four schools in the University of Houston system. I moved to Houston in 2012 to work at the University of Houston and transitioned to this interim role at UHD in July.

UHD is a non-residential, Hispanic-serving institution with around 13,000 students across four academic colleges. We do a lot of work with community colleges, including two-plus-two programs. Our division brings together academic support services and Student Affairs to create a seamless experience for students – it’s been an exciting opportunity to explore new approaches to student success.

Jack: What inspired you to pursue a career in Student Affairs?

During my senior year at Syracuse University, I was a resident assistant and worked closely with Student Affairs professionals. One day, my hall director asked me what I wanted to do after graduation. I was a business major focused on human resources, so I told her I planned to work in professional development. She suggested that I could do similar work on a college campus.

That conversation was a lightbulb moment for me. I realized that people like my hall director, fraternity advisor, and student union director were making a career out of supporting students. With her guidance, I applied for a master’s program in HE at the University of Miami. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to build a career helping students find their voice, develop skills, and grow as individuals.

Jack: Creating a unified and inclusive campus culture is a major focus for Student Affairs leaders. How are you fostering this at UHD?

It’s essential to recognize that while students come to university for a degree, they’re also looking for experiences that help them grow as individuals. At UHD, we embrace diversity – whether that’s rural and urban backgrounds, domestic and international students, or differences in race, gender, or identity. To create a welcoming environment, we need to consider not just who participates in our program but also who doesn’t. If certain student groups aren’t engaging with our services, we have to ask why and rethink how we promote and deliver those opportunities. It’s about intentionality – creating inclusive spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Students make choices about how they spend their time, and they won’t engage if they don’t feel welcome.

Jack: Many universities are still navigating the impact of the pandemic. What are your priorities in supporting students’ return to campus life?

After the pandemic, it became clear how much students value in-person connections. At the University of Houston, for example, our residence halls quickly filled back to 80–85% capacity as soon as we reopened. Students wanted to be back on campus, interacting with peers and participating in community life.

At UHD, we’re focused on striking a balance. Online education is important for access and flexibility, especially for students juggling work or childcare. But we also need to ensure we’re fostering in-person connections that build relationships and skills. For example, when we reopened, we extended orientation and welcome events to include not just first-year students but also sophomores who missed out during the pandemic.

Jack: With such a diverse student body, how do you ensure your initiatives resonate with all students?

It starts with understanding the realities of our students’ lives. Many of our students work full-time jobs, so we have to be strategic about when and how we offer programs. For instance, we think about ‘hot spots’ on campus – times when students are most likely to be present – and schedule events accordingly.

We’ve also invested in student organizations, providing them with meeting spaces and redistributing student fees to support their initiatives. Sometimes the most impactful programs aren’t the ones that draw 200 people but those that foster meaningful dialogue in smaller groups.

Jack: Many institutions are focusing on teaching students how to engage constructively across differences. How are you approaching this at UHD?

At UHD, our Center for Public Deliberation plays a key role. It helps students develop the skills to engage in civil conversations – even on contentious topics. Through workshops and leadership programs, we teach students how to deliberate respectfully and find common ground.

It’s also about modelling these behaviors in our events and dialogues. Universities are uniquely positioned to help students develop life skills, such as effective communication and empathy, that they’ll carry with them far beyond graduation.

Jack: Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

I was once told to always be willing to say yes to new opportunities. That mindset has shaped my career and allowed me to build new skills, expand my network, and take on leadership roles.

At the same time, it’s important to know your limits. Say yes when you can, but make sure you’re setting yourself up for success by understanding your capacity. It’s about finding that balance between taking on challenges and knowing when to focus on your core responsibilities.