Dan Leifield

It is safe to say I am a collegeologist.  Throughout my career I’ve worked at large and small, private and public, rural and urban, for-profit, community colleges, religious, and a few more.  No matter where I’ve worked the only thing that ever truly mattered – it’s all about the students.  My father always told me that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.  I’ve had the privilege of working with so many students, and watching them develop and mature, it has been a gift.  

I grew up in St. Louis and my father taught Organic Chemistry at Wash U, for a couple of years so this is like a homecoming. It has been fun discovering new places and seeing how the city has changed.  Wash U. certainly has!  My wife and I love exploring restaurants and bars and St. Louis has so many.  We particularly enjoy the Central West End. So if you see us please stop by and say hello.  I’ll keep an eye out for you!

Dan has a more positive attitude about my development than I have…He is always caring and supportive. I know he started at WashU about the same time I started, which is the summer of 2022. As my graduation is approaching, I bothered him via email and in person quite a lot, and all my questions and problems were solved very efficiently.”  Aruda Liu, MSQF 2023

“I was impressed and moved by Dan’s motivation to work with students. And he’s a family person to me. I hope him well and can start doing the sports he wants soon.” Aldrich Yu, MSF 2023