Zelon Crawford

Zelon Crawford serves as the Columbia University School of Professional Studies' Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs. She joined SPS in October 2020 after serving as Associate Dean of MBA Student Affairs and Dean of Students for the full-time MBA Program at Columbia Business School (CBS). While at CBS, Crawford was instrumental in driving change and enhancing the student experience, advocating for accessibility and inclusion, streamlining operational inefficiencies, and building coalitions with stakeholders across the School. Within two short years of arriving at the Business School, she received the prestigious Robert W. Lear Service Award, a recognition bestowed by students to a faculty member or administrator in honor of their outstanding and extraordinary service to the student community. 

With more than 20 years of experience encompassing service at both Fortune 500 companies and academic environments, she is recognized by her peers as a turnaround management specialist. Prior to joining CBS, she served as director of graduate business programs and recruiting for Villanova School of Business. Crawford also served as director of graduate career management and corporate relations for Temple University’s Fox School of Business.

She is a first-generation college student who worked in the Office of Residence Life as an undergraduate student. Crawford holds a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Teachers College. In her free time, Crawford loves to travel—visiting more than 50 countries and 6 continents. She also spends time with close friends and family and is the proud godparent to five children. She is an active mentor for YearUp, and an avid supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Food Bank for New York City. Crawford is a huge sports fan and is hopeful the NY Knicks will win a championship in her lifetime.