Todd Adams

Todd Adams serves as the Vice President for Student Development at the University of Richmond, a role he began in September 2024. In this position, Todd provides strategic leadership for the university’s student development efforts, fostering a student experience rooted in belonging, well-being, and holistic learning.

Prior to joining Richmond, Todd served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Denver, where he oversaw 23 departments and co-led the university’s signature 4D Experience—a holistic student learning initiative integrating academic, personal, professional, and purposeful development. Before his tenure at DU, Todd was Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Northwestern University, where he was a key member of the academic deans council and contributed to a broad range of student-centered initiatives.

Earlier in his career, Todd held multiple leadership positions in student affairs at Duke University, where he helped shape programs in student engagement, residential life, and student conduct. Across these institutions, Todd has led efforts focused on the first-year experience, new student and family programs, off-campus life, career development, crisis response, and emergency preparedness. He has consistently worked across academic, auxiliary, and community lines to create student-centered environments that prioritize support, connection, and learning.

In addition to his administrative work, Todd has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in student development and higher education at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education, Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy, and Duke’s Program in Education.

A longtime member of NASPA, Todd has served as national co-chair of the Fraternity and Sorority Knowledge Community. He also assisted in creating the Highly Selective Institution Network for the National Orientation Directors Association, where he served as its inaugural co-chair.

Todd holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a doctorate from the Peabody School at Vanderbilt University.