The University of Maryland selected Devin Walker, of the University of Southern California, as the next director of fraternity and sorority life, according to a Wednesday email obtained by The Diamondback.
Walker has served as the director of fraternity and sorority leadership development at the University of Southern California since June 2022. Walker will assume this position on Aug. 26, interim fraternity and sorority life director James McShay wrote in Wednesday’s email, which was sent to some staff members at this university.
Interim leadership has occupied the position since February 2023, according to a university spokesperson. The department was previously headed by Matthew Supple, now the family engagement director in the student affairs division.
“Devin’s vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for all fraternity and sorority members,” McShay, who is also this university’s assistant vice president for engagement, wrote in the email.
Walker “successfully cultivated enduring relationships” with staff, faculty, advisors, alumni and Greek life leaders to promote belonging and success throughout his career, McShay wrote.
His appointment comes about five months after this university placed a cease and desist order on all Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association fraternities and sororities in March.
[UMD places cease and desist order on all IFC and PHA fraternities, sororities]
The university placed the cease and desist order on the 37 IFC and PHA fraternities and sororities after it received notice of chapters engaging in behaviors that threatened community members’ “safety and well-being,” The Diamondback reported in March. The order was lifted on March 15 for all but five IHC fraternities.
Three University of Maryland fraternities continued a lawsuit against the university and several members of its administration after the cease and desist. The lawsuit alleges the university infringed on “thousands of students’ civil rights” by issuing the cease and desist order on all IHC and PHA activities.
Before working at the University of Southern California, Walker served as the associate director for sorority and fraternity life at Loyola Marymount University. He has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Ohio State and a master’s degree of science in education with a specialization in college student personnel from the University of Dayton.
At the University of Southern California, Walker “set and executed the strategic vision for the department, advised multiple councils, and led significant initiatives transforming the fraternity and sorority experience,” according to the email.
Walker is “grateful for the opportunity to join the Terrapin community,” he wrote in a statement to The Diamondback.
“Having met students and staff during the interview process, I am excited to begin supporting the fraternity and sorority community, later this month,” he wrote.
