Nadeje Alexandre

Assistant Dean for Student Success

Administration

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Nadeje Alexandre is Assistant Dean for Student Success in the College of Arts and Sciences at North Dakota State University. She has dedicated more than two decades to advancing student success through innovative leadership, developmental advising, and evidence-based educational practice. Her work centers on creating learning environments where students experience belonging, develop resilience, discover purpose, and achieve academic and personal success.

At NDSU, Dr. Alexandre has led the development of numerous college-wide initiatives, including the First Year Experience program, the College of Arts and Sciences Peer Mentor Program, a comprehensive advising framework, and the Senior Launch initiative designed to prepare students for life after graduation (currently in development). She also provides leadership for student engagement initiatives, faculty development, and strategic retention efforts while serving on university committees focused on student success and institutional effectiveness.

Drawing upon research in student development, emotional intelligence, communication, positive psychology, and mindfulness, Dr. Alexandre designs programs that integrate academic achievement with student well-being and holistic development. Her scholarship explores how intentional relationships, advising, and educational experiences can help students flourish throughout college and beyond.

Areas of Study & Research

Student Success and Retention
Academic Advising Theory and Practice
Holistic Student Development and Theory
Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education
Communication and Framing in Advising
First-Year Experience Programs
Educational Leadership Development
Positive Psychology and Student Flourishing
Mindfulness, Reflection, and Well-Being
Peer Mentoring and Student Engagement
Assessment of Student Success Initiatives

Dr. Alexandre's scholarly interests explore the intersection of advising, leadership, communication, and student development. Her work examines how educational environments can intentionally foster belonging, resilience, emotional intelligence, purpose, and lifelong learning. She is particularly interested in designing evidence-informed student success initiatives that strengthen retention, improve advising practices, and create transformative educational experiences. Her current work includes the development and assessment of first-year and senior transition programs, faculty development related to student engagement, and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence into higher education. Her scholarship bridges research and practice, translating theory into innovative programs that improve student learning and institutional effectiveness.

Courses Taught

UNIV 100 You Got Here, Now What: Tools for Epic Success

STEM 303 The Science of Learning

UNIV 150 Foundations of Science

NR 106 Race and Culture in Natural Resources

Professional Associations

NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising

NASPA: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

Gardiner Institute for First-Year Experience and Students in Transition

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society

Education

Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dissertation title: Perceived Communication Effectiveness of Academic Advisors: A Comparative Study, Seattle University. Seattle, WA
Master in Student Development Administration, Seattle University. Seattle, WA
Bachelor in Comparative Literature and French, Roosevelt University. Chicago, IL

Publications

Alexandre, N. & Bube, S.A. Words Matter: The Art of Language in Advising. MAGIS: Student Development peer-reviewed journal. Accepted.

Weis, W. & Alexandre, N. Weltanschauung and the Autobiography: Transforming a Campus Culture by Sharing Personal Stories. Journal of College and Character. Accepted.

Alexandre, N. & Weis, W. Bringing Emotional Intelligence to the Academy: An Innovative Program for Deepening the Conversation among Students, Faculty, and Academic Advisers. Proposal for authoring a chapter in Multidimensional, Holistic Applications of College Student Development Theories. Accepted.

Alexandre, N. & Weis, W. Bringing Emotional Intelligence to the Jesuit Business Academy: A program for deepening the conversation among students, advisers, and faculty. Jesuit Higher Education Journal. Accepted.

Presentations

Alexandre, N., Booth, K., & Kureczko, M. Building Bonds – Effective Strategies for Fostering Classroom Community in First Year Courses. North Dakota State University Office of Teaching and Learning, Faculty and Staff Academic Conference, August 2025.

Alexandre, N. & Gilbert, C. Dismantling Systemic Barriers to Student Success: An innovative Student Success Framework. NASPA conference proposal. June 2023.

Alexander, N Parshall, J. & Nordstrom, K. Building relationships with Today’s Students through Effective Communication Strategies. NACADA webinar. January 2021.

Alexandre, N. Presentation on An Effective Communication Advising Model Grounded in Emotional Intelligence and Appreciative Inquiry. The Global Community for Academic Advising. National Association of Academic Advising Conference, March 2020. (Canceled due to pandemic).

Alexandre, N. & Nordstrom, K. Presentation on Best Practices of Effective Communication: Framing and oral delivery in order to build relationships and engage students. The Global Community for Academic Advising. National Association of Academic Advising Conference, October 2019.

Alexandre, N. & Weis, W. Presentation on Bringing Emotional Intelligence to the Jesuit Business Academy: A program for deepening the conversation among students, advisers, and faculty. Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education Conference, June 2017.

Alexandre, N. & Weis, W. Presentation on Bringing Mindful Awareness to the Academic Advising Space: Workshop for developing coaching and emotional intelligence skills. The Global Community for Academic Advising. National Association of Academic Advising Conference, April 2017.