Dr. Tom MacAlester
Vice President of Student Affairs

Serving first Belmont Abbey College as a FOCUS missionary for the 2008-2009 then returning as the Director of Student Activities in 2012 and now as the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Tom MacAlester has worked to ensure that students development and learning flourishes outside the classroom in the residence halls, in student communities, and in the services offered through Student Life offices.

Dr. MacAlester has the pleasure to oversee and works alongside the offices and services that assist students when they are not in classroom or competing on the field of play. Student Activities, First Year Experience (FYE), Campus Ministry, Residence Life, Counseling Services, Health Services, and Student Success (Accessibility, Advising, Internships, and Career Services) all report up through the Vice President of Student Life to ensure a mission-minded and concerted effort to form students in mind, body, and soul. Dr. MacAlester also supports our international student population as the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and serves on the Board of Directors for MiraVia.

Dr. MacAlester graduated from Florida State University with his undergraduate and graduate degree in Social Work and obtained his PhD in 2022 in Leadership studies from the University of the Cumberlands, where his dissertation considered sophomore college students, self-efficacy, and how they manage stress.