Miami Welcomes New Director of Community Standards Alex Fields
Miami University’s Division of Student Life recently welcomed Alex Fields as the new director of community standards. With an extensive background in student conduct, residence life, and social work, Fields brings a compassionate and student-centered approach to student conduct.
Miami Welcomes New Director of Community Standards Alex Fields
Miami University’s Division of Student Life recently welcomed Alex Fields as the new director of community standards. With an extensive background in student conduct, residence life, and social work, Fields brings a compassionate and student-centered approach to student conduct.
Fields' path to higher education was unconventional. A first-generation college student, she initially struggled to transition from high school to college and eventually stepped away to participate in the Disney College Program. She spent several years working at Walt Disney World before returning to school.
Fields earned her Associate of Arts from Valencia College then finished her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Central Florida, and her Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where her research focuses on appreciative approaches to student accountability.
Prior to joining Miami, Fields held positions at the University of Cincinnati and Western Carolina University, working in both residence life and student conduct. Most recently, she served as the director of student conduct at Western Carolina University, where she led initiatives that reduced student recidivism by 22% and increased student engagement in the conduct process.
“There aren’t many people in student affairs who go into student conduct work because of the impact it can have on students and staff,” said BaShaun Smith, associate vice president for student life and dean of students. “Alex embraces this challenge by seeing students and their behaviors as two distinctly different things. She understands that her job is to address the possible violation but also to support the student as a person navigating life.”
Fields recognizes the importance of accountability in helping students navigate difficult moments in their lives. “It’s a gift to meet a person at a stage in their life when they’re at a crossroads,” she said. “Conduct is often an amber or red flag that something else is going on. If you can be part of that moment and intervene, you can help change their direction.”
Her background in social work plays a crucial role in her approach. “As a social worker, you learn about ecosystems. Everything around a person affects the person,” Fields explained. Her approach of ‘compassionate accountability’ emphasizes that holding students accountable is not about punishment, but about giving students the opportunity to go in a different direction.
In her new role, Fields is eager to build on existing processes and foster greater understanding of community standards among students, faculty, and staff. She was struck by comments from colleagues that students often fear going through the community standards process more than facing legal consequences. “That seems wild to me,” she said. “I want to pull back the curtain and help students, faculty, and staff understand our processes.”
Fields envisions a future where the office of community standards is more visible and approachable. She plans to encourage greater outreach and shift perceptions around student conduct. “We’re not scary,” she said. “Our goal is to support students, not just discipline them. We want to help them grow.”
“Students will not always agree with her sanctions, but I feel confident that they will always leave her department feeling seen, heard, and valued throughout the process,” said Smith. “I am excited to see her impact on our conduct office and our community for several years.”
Outside of work, Fields enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She is also an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and remains committed to service in her community.
