Ryan C. Holmes

As universities strive to foster inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments, leaders like Dr. Ryan C. Holmes play a pivotal role in shaping the student experience. Serving as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Miami, Dr. Holmes brings more than two decades of expertise in student affairs to a vibrant, diverse campus community in South Florida.

In this conversation, Dr. Holmes shares his journey with Jack Eagle, Co-host of The Interview, from a career in music to becoming a leader in Higher Education (HE). He reflects on his passion for working with students, the evolving challenges of creating a sense of belonging, and the innovative initiatives that support mental health, civic engagement, and a safe campus environment.

Ryan’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with an introduction to yourself and your institution

I’m Dr. Ryan C. Holmes, the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Miami. I’ve been in this role for nearly eight years, but my career in Higher Education spans close to two decades, with experience across four institutions.

The University of Miami is a large private university in South Florida, and we’re proud to celebrate our centennial next month, in January 2025. Our community includes over 12,000 undergraduate students, 7,000 graduate and professional students, and representation from all 50 states and over 120 countries. Recently, we were invited to join the Association of American Universities (AAU), which is a significant milestone for us.

‍Jack: How did you find yourself in this role? And what keeps you enthused about it?

To be honest, Student Affairs was my backup plan. I started as a musician, majoring in music education and performing professionally with many national and international artists. But when I began working in student conduct, I discovered I had an opportunity to educate students outside the classroom – helping them reflect on their behaviors and make changes that could contribute to their success.

With the guidance of mentors and access to great opportunities, I progressed from being a graduate coordinator for multicultural involvement and community advocacy to roles like Coordinator for Off-Campus Students, Assistant Dean and Director for the Office of Student Conduct. Eventually, I came to the University of Miami for this position.

What keeps me inspired is the students – both those I work with directly and those who seek me out. Some students connect with me simply because they want to. It’s also the constant learning environment. I’m challenged every day to grow, not just as a professional but as a person. Lastly, I’m grateful for my colleagues, who keep me energized and motivated.

‍Jack: How are you currently trying to engage students outside of the classroom?

At a broader level, we have over 320 student organizations on campus, and students can create what they don’t see. If an organization doesn’t exist, they have the opportunity to establish it. We also have a very active Greek life community.

Zooming in, we focus on fostering a culture of belonging. We believe every student should find spaces on campus they can call home, and we recognize that everyone has something valuable to contribute to making our institution better each day.

Mental health is a priority for us. We provide comprehensive mental health resources and a robust religious life association that supports students of all faiths. Our wellness center goes beyond fitness, offering seminars and classes to help students take charge of their health. Additionally, we recently established a veteran's resource center to ensure students with military backgrounds can easily find support.

We also encourage a culture of care through the "if you see something, say something" ethos, urging students to look out for each other in all aspects of campus life.

‍Jack: What are you currently working on to help students with mental wellbeing?

Our approach is grounded in the idea that conversations about mental health can happen anywhere – whether in the classroom, the Dean’s office, or housing. We strive to connect students to the right support systems, whether that’s counseling, case management, or simply answering their questions.

For some, it’s not necessarily mental health but homesickness or adjusting to life in a new environment. Many students come to Miami from across the US or internationally, and adapting to things like hurricane season can be a source of stress. We proactively create safe spaces and resources to address these challenges, ensuring students feel supported before they even know they need help.

‍Jack: How do you create a safe and positive campus environment?

Engagement plays a significant role in creating a safe environment. It’s no secret in Student Affairs: the more engaged students are, the more likely they are to persist to graduation.

We also recognize that the context around us constantly changes. Right now, for example, global conflicts like the situation in the Middle East are affecting our campus. We have a large Jewish population as well as a significant Palestinian and Arab community.

I’m proud of our student body – they’ve chosen to work within our policies while expressing themselves. Policies are important, but students must also choose to follow them. As a private institution, we require students to register protests, and in turn, we ensure their views are respected, provided they don’t violate laws or policies. We strive to create an environment where we can disagree without being disagreeable, preserving the shared love we all have for our campus.

‍Jack: How do you go about educating students on how to converse positively, upholding both freedom of speech and civic engagement?

My background in conflict resolution has proven invaluable in this role, though I never imagined I’d use it so frequently.

The first step is recognizing what I can control—I can’t force students to trust us, but I can guide them. I focus on encouraging students to express themselves within the boundaries of our policies, which protect their rights. It’s a constant process of communication, providing clarity, and asking reflective questions like, “How do you want to be perceived on campus?” and “Is your current approach aligning with the impact you want to have?”

Ultimately, my role is to help students see how their message can get lost if their delivery isn’t thoughtful. After that, it’s up to them to decide how they’ll engage with others.

‍Jack: What is the best piece of advice you have received in your career?

I have three pieces of advice that have stuck with me.

First, from a mentor: “Every day, you’re presented with career-ending opportunities. Don’t accept one.”

Second: “Keep your head down, keep your nose clean, do the work, and everything will fall into place.”

And third: “Be careful of the toes you step on today – they may be connected to the legs you’ll need to carry you tomorrow.”