Patty Xirau-Probert, Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, has been appointed to the position of assistant dean for student and multicultural affairs for the University of Florida College of Dentistry, effective January 10, 2014.
This is a new administrative position that builds on her previous position as the director of student and multicultural affairs. She will be responsible for providing overall direction and support to dental students and residents, assisting with policy compliance, and providing direction and counsel for best practices in student affairs.
“Patty has always been a pleasure to work with and has consistently demonstrated dedication to serving the needs of both the college and our students. She is kind, committed and talented, and I look forward to seeing how she expands her role at the college in the coming years,” said Boyd Robinson, D.D.S., M.Ed., interim dean.
In addition she leads the college’s student affairs programs, provides support for college recruitment and retention efforts, including a residential Summer Learning Program for pre-dental students, and provides individual counseling to students.
Prior to joining the college in March 2005, Xirau-Probert worked with the Catholic Refugee Resettlement center helping Bosnians, Vietnamese, Haitian and Cuban refugees adapt to life in United States. In 1996, she began working as a mental health counselor at the Alachua County Crisis Center. In this role, she supervised graduate psychology students, taught community education courses and provided counseling to individuals, couples and families.
Xirau-Probert received her bachelor’s degree in teacher education from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and then came to the University of Florida where she earned her Ph.D. in counselor education.