Steven L. Jones ’87
Steven L. Jones, Wabash Class of 1987, is the Director of the Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies and the College’s Dean for Professional Development.
Dean Jones returned to his alma mater in 2016 after a 23-year career with IU Health, where he was Vice President of the Adult Academic Health Center and led human resource functions for 6,500 team members. He previously served IU Health as Executive Director of Talent Management, Diversity, and HR Leader; Director of Recruitment, Staffing, and Diversity; and Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
As Dean for Professional Development, he oversees the activities of the Malcolm X Institute, for which he was an award-winning member and chairman during his four years at Wabash. He served as chairman of the MXIBS as a junior. He also oversees the activities of the nationally ranked Schroeder Center for Career Development, the Center for Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship, and the Wabash Internships and Student Employment program.
Wabash’s Alumni Network and Internship Program are ranked first in the nation in the Princeton Review’s college guide, while the Career Services Office ranks in the top 10. Over the last three years, Wabash has averaged a first destination rate of over 98 percent within six months for its graduates.
Dean Jones majored in economics with an area of concentration in African American Studies while an undergraduate at Wabash. He came to the College from Arsenal Tech High School, and participated in the programs of the Center for Leadership Development (CLD). He is a member of the CLD’s Alumni Association and in 2014 was honored with the CLD Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1993 he received one of the state’s highest honors, the Sagamore of the Wabash, from Indiana Governor Evan Bayh. In 2019, Dean Jones was honored with the S. Henry Bundles, Jr. Award for his service to the Center for Leadership Development; the award recognizes “special, unique individuals who have made significant investments of resources (time, talent, and treasure) to help assure CLD’s strength, sustainability, and growth.”
Dean Jones is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Program, the Indiana Healthcare Leadership Academy, and was named a Hoosier Fellow at the Randall Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence. He is the president of the Financial Health Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, and has previously served his community through the Indiana Symphony Society, Circle City Classic, Super Bowl Host Committee, Center for Leadership Development, Indiana Black Expo, and the HR Association of Central Indiana, to name a few.
Excerpts from a conversation with Dean Jones:
Why did you choose to attend Wabash College?
Nancy Sutton, my Senior Advisor and spouse of a Wabash graduate, spoke highly of the College. The Admissions representative, Gerald Trotter, was extremely personable, connected with my parents, and demonstrated a genuine interest in my future. Participating in the Opportunities to Learn About Business (OLAB) program was icing on the cake. I had the chance to meet MXIBS Director Horace Turner and my decision was made. I didn’t take any other visits after that summer.
What impact did the MXIBS have on you as a Wabash student?
While I felt prepared for College when I graduated from Arsenal Tech in Indianapolis, Wabash humbled me and taught me to dig deeper, persevere, and work harder. My first Blue Book Exam with Dr. “Fast Eddie” McLean was a disaster my freshman year. I bounced back and figured out how to navigate my way through.
Who were your role models as a student and why?
Upperclassmen at the MXI always set a high bar for freshmen. The study habits of Cleo Washington, John Harvey, Bob Dion, Willie Mays, and Brady Williams resonated with me. The guidance and direction they offered was instrumental in my development. Fortunately, I was a self-starter and early riser, so I never got a “wake-up” visit by Director Horace “HT” Turner.
We like to say that “Wabash will change your life.” How did it change your life?
I was blessed with three brothers in my family, so I understood what it meant to disagree, debate, argue, reconcile, respect, and strengthen relationships by the time I arrived on campus. It amazed me how those same characteristics of brotherhood were present at Wabash. I thought the brotherhood bond was limited to my biological brothers. I remain in regular contact with many of the MXI members I was close to when we were at Wabash. I have enjoyed frequent calls, always texting, and even a Zoom call here and there during the pandemic.
What are your fondest memories from your time at Wabash?
Each of the members of the MXI had a life story that in some way applied to the Wabash experience. I listened, learned, and captured nuggets from each of them to reach commencement. Specific memories that stand out are: 1) Thursday nights when gathered around the TV, regardless of how uncomfortable we were, watching the Cosby Show; 2) having dinner with Congressman Ronald Dellums and hearing the latest insight on the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa; and 3) sharing commencement with Jeff Cusic and Mike Robinson. While the Class of 1987 was small in number, the three of us created a special bond that has withstood the test of time.
What advice would you give a young man considering Wabash?
Get comfortable with having a setback from time to time. The resources to navigate Wabash College are here, so when the exam result or paper grade does not match your expectation, dig deeper and stay in the game. A future grand slam is possible, but you must be in the game. Don’t give up on yourself. Life lessons are learned each day on campus and you, too, can thrive here.
What advice would you give the parents of a young man considering Wabash?
Trust the process and allow your son to grow and develop. He will be surrounded by faculty and staff that care about his future. When he arrives home after his first year, you will join other parents who express how much their son has matured and taken on more responsibility.
How has the MXIBS changed over the years?
The foundation of the MXIBS is the same. We are a home away from home for those men of Wabash who opt to become members. Regardless of ethnicity or background, we strive to be an inclusive organization. While we have never been a fraternity, there is a brotherhood that comes with being a member. Lastly, we will always honor our Founders in our programming and academic pursuits. Their sacrifices were tremendous and the path they blazed for us must always be enlarged.
You were super successful as a healthcare executive in Indy for several decades. Why did you choose to return to Wabash as Dean for Professional Development and Director of the MXIBS?
I have always found a way to give back and attempt to assist others. The opportunity to share what allowed me to prosper professionally with the next generation of Wabash Men was a no-brainer. I never imaged becoming a vice president [at IU Health], so once it was achieved, I knew I had a responsibility to inspire others to become even more than what I had imagined for myself.
What do you say to a prospective student who says Wabash is too small, too rural, and too white?
Great men have utilized this College as a training ground to find their passion. I encourage you to consider the long-term gain and make the necessary short-term sacrifices. I am certain it will be worth it.