210 Kerrwood Hall (Second Floor)
Stu Cleek began working at Westmont in 1999 as the Associate Dean for Residence Life and currently serves as the Dean of Students. In this role, he provides leadership for a broad range of student life departments, including Residence Life, Housing, Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Center for Student Success, Student Conduct, and Student Care. With over 35 years of experience in Christian higher education, Stu loves being with students and is deeply committed to creating an environment where they are holistically supported and encouraged to grow into the people God created them to be.
Stu earned his Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Southern California, where his dissertation on campus racial climate and belonging at faith-based institutions was honored as the 2017 Dissertation of the Year. He also holds a Master of Education in College Student Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation from Azusa Pacific University.
Prior to joining Westmont, Stu served as an Area Coordinator and Resident Director at Calvin University and as an Admissions Counselor at Azusa Pacific University. A passionate advocate for the mission of Christian higher education, Stu will begin a two-year term as President of the Association of Christians in Student Development (ACSD) in June 2025. He finds deep joy in developing people and teams, empowering staff to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to institutional goals. An enthusiastic learner, he continually seeks innovative solutions to complex challenges and fosters collaboration across departments.
Outside of work, Stu loves spending time with his family. He has been married for over 35 years to his wife, Cathy, an emergency department nurse at Cottage Hospital. They have three children—Jonathan, Madison, and Katie—two of whom are Westmont graduates—and two beautiful grandchildren. Stu is happiest in the outdoors and fondly remembers one of the best months of his life spent biking down the Pacific Coast. His ideal evening includes time with family and friends, playing games—preferably around a campfire.